Politics has high and low moments. Sometimes it brings out the better angels of our nature; sometimes baser instincts.

Public decision-making does not lend itself to certitude.

A government of, by and for the people is obligated to conduct the nation's business in a manner that respects dissent.

Civility is not simply about manners.

I think America is going to have to think through whether it wants to uplift the political dialogue or advance an approach that divides and, frankly, can lead to violence.

I am appalled by the notion of cultural wars.

America somehow thinks that leadership relates to governance, and it certainly does. But society is much bigger than governance, and some of the truly great leadership of our society is outside the governance arena.