From the beginning, the United States has enjoyed close and valued ties with the Muslim world.

I think there ought to be a strict separation or wall built between our religious faith and our practice of political authority in office. I don't think the President of the United States should extoll Christianity if he happens to be a Christian at the expense of Judaism, Islam or other faiths.

The world is safer without Saddam [Hussein]. Certainly the people of Iraq are better without Saddam.

When I feel something very intensely or deeply or personally, I can go to extremes of self-expression or self-analysis by writing a poem - more than I can just talking to somebody or writing prose.

I began to expand my personal service in the church, and to search more diligently for a closer relationship with God among my different business, professional and political interests.

I believe in the separation of church and state and would not use my authority to violate this principle in any way.

It's politically impossible for any member of Congress to make a public statement condemning or criticizing the policies of Israel. It would be political suicidal for them to do so.