I want to congratulate Senator [Bernie] Sanders for the extraordinary campaign.... He has spent his long career in public service, fighting for progressive causes and principles, and he has excited millions of voters, especially young people.

Now, I know there are many Americans who say, 'Get out of Afghanistan. Bring 'em all home.' And there are others who say, 'Put in hundreds of thousands of more.'

We need fair rules of the road, so big corporations can't use their power to gain unfair advantages.

I agree completely with Secretary Colin Powell, who said today this is an absurdity. And so I think the American people will know it's an absurdity. I have absolutely no concerns about it whatsoever.

I think it's important to look at what we need to do to get the economy going again. That's why I said new jobs with rising incomes, investments, not in more tax cuts that would add $5 trillion to the debt.

I will not raise taxes on anyone making $250,000 or less.

What I'm concerned about is the views of many Democrats who know their states, who know how hard it is to win a general election. And it also will push whoever the nominee is into the spotlight. I've been vetted. There's hardly anything you don't know about me. And I think it's fair to say that whoever is in that position, Senator Bernie Sanders or anyone else who might have run, will face the most withering onslaught.