I got into journalism because I came of age in the '60s. It just seemed one way for me to get things done.

I think that if you make a strong statement of principle, even if the folks disagree with you, people will respect you for it.

I'm in favour of politicians having extra-marital relationships. Oh yeah. It makes them more understanding of the flaws that the rest of us have.

What do you do in a novel? You take recognizable characters from your own life, and you fantasize about what they're really like.

You know, larger than life is always better than smaller than life in politicians. And, you know, God save us from mediocrities.

For the past several years, I've been harboring a fantasy, a last political crusade for the baby-boom generation. We, who started on the path of righteousness, marching for civil rights and against the war in Vietnam, need to find an appropriately high-minded approach to life's exit ramp.

Bill Clinton gives the appearance of taking stands-for some sort of tax cut, some sort of welfare reform, some sort of balanced budget-but these are ploys, mirages: they exist only to undermine positions taken by the Republicans. He doesn't fight for anything substantive-except of course, re-election. ...He has fallen into the dangerous habit of lip synching the presidency: he gives the appearance of leadership, but not the substance.