The arts are not a luxury. They are an integral part of our lives as individuals and as a nation.

The Republicans can't go after Donald Trump where I think he needs to be criticized.

As a young lawyer, I learned to try to find common ground with people, to look for a human connection. When I got to the Senate, despite the fact that there were a lot of people who didn't want me to get there - and were sure they'd never even talk to me, let alone work with me - I really tried to do the job I was sent there to do by the people of New York, which was to get things done for my constituents. I worked with Republicans, and we found a lot of common ground. It isn't easy, but it's part of what we have to do in politics today.

I don't think we're at war with Islam. I don't think we're at war with all Muslims. I think we're at war with jihadists.

We know in New York we have several million at any one time who are in New York illegally.

Russia hasn't paid any attention to ISIS. They're interested in keeping Assad in power.

Among the most striking things that I have learned is how much we have in common. I've sat down with people everywhere, discussing what was in their hearts and on their minds. And it doesn't take long to find commonality, which is often overlooked, ignored, dismissed, and rejected otherwise.