But I made one mistake which I would never repeat as a member of Congress when I was in Washington, and that was when I was elected I didn't go on trips because I was so afraid of having someone accuse me of taking junkets.

politics can be an ugly game, and in a national election the stakes get higher while the tactics get lower.

The polls indicated that I was feisty, that I was tough, that I had a sense of humor, but they weren't quite sure if they liked me and they didn't know whether or not that I was sensitive.

National campaigns are tough. Yes, you have to be prepared to be attacked, and I have to tell you, if you get elected, you have to also be prepared.

You had to be tough to be a female member of Congress.

But I do think its necessary to have debates.

I'd call it a new version of voodoo economics, but I'm afraid that would give witch doctors a bad name.