Most of the ancestors that I can trace were born here in the United States of America. And then it goes back to slavery. And I'm sure my ancestors go all the way back to Africa, but I feel more of an affinity for America than I do for Africa. I'm a black man in America.

One of the things that I did before I ran for president is I was a professional speaker. Not a motivational speaker - an inspirational speaker. Motivation comes from within. You have to be inspired. That's what I do. I inspire people, I inspire the public, I inspire my staff. I inspired the organizations I took over to want to succeed.

All of the major accomplishments that I have made in my career have been in many instances against the odds.

I'm not offended if you call me an African American. I prefer a black American.

I didn't know I was a conservative when it didn't matter to me growing up.

I believe in traditional marriage and I believe in the Defense of Marriage Act.

People sometimes hold themselves back because they want to use racism as an excuse for them not being able to achieve what they want to achieve.