Basically [I become a Republican], pretty early. I had an English teacher that got me to subscribe to the National Review.

We represent our constituents. And so they don't get to dictate policy.

I just want you to know that as a southerner, who actually saw discrimination and have no doubt it existed in a systematic and powerful and negative way to the people - great millions of people in the South, particularly, of America - I know that was wrong. I know we need to do better.

How can we vote for a bill [S.744] that our own CBO says will reduce average wages in America for 12 years, increase unemployment for 7 years, and reduce per capita GNP growth over 25 years? A bill that will admit 30 million people to permanent legal status in the next 10 years? That will dramatically increase the annual immigration flow, and will double the guest worker flow?

I am totally committed to maintaining the freedom and equality America has to provide to every citizen.

I think the people who go to work every day don't feel like Washington cares a whit about them,and, actually, they're executing policies that are bad for them.

We should create an America in which it's - we can - Americans have a better chance to progress wages and job prospects, and we can do that.