The American dream does not happen by asking Americans to accept what's immoral and wrong in the name of tolerance.

I think Newt Gingrich has a proven track record of changing Washington and getting results.

My views on everything from welfare to a balanced budget to affirmative action can be traced to what Buddy and Helen Watts taught me as a young boy growing up poor but proud in Eufaula.

I do think, however, that there's a very diverse point of view in the African-American community. There's a lot of different voices that need to be heard. I don't claim and pretend to know the thoughts and opinions and ideas of all African-Americans.

I don't know if anybody has moved up the ladder more quickly than I have.

Affirmative action is a little like the professional football draft. The NFL awards its No. 1 draft choices to the lowest-ranked team in the league. It doesn't do this out of compassion or guilt. It's done for mutual survival. They understand that a league can only be as strong as its weakest team.

A Black man voting for the Republicans makes about as much sense as a chicken voting for Col. Sanders.