I'm a political scientist and I study these things, and I know that economic problems, with the rising unemployment and inflation and low productivity and so forth, were a factor in that election, in that defeat of President Carter.

I always assume that democracy is the only good form of government, quite frankly, and democracy is always to be preferred

Democracy not only requires equality but also an unshakable conviction in the value of each person, who is then equal. Cross cultural experience teaches us not simply that people have different beliefs, but that people seek meaning and understand themselves in some sense as members of a cosmos ruled by God.

A government is not legitimate merely because it exists.

I conclude that it is a fundamental mistake to think that salvation, justice, or virtue come through merely human institutions.

Americans need to face the truth about themselves, no matter how pleasant it is.

Look, I don't even agree with myself at times.