I think all we should legislate is morality.

We are a nation called to defend freedom - a tradition that is not a grant of any government or document, but is an endowment from God.

We must not descend to the level of those who perpetrated Tuesday's violence by targeting individuals based on their race, their religion, or their national origin. Such reports of violence and threats are in direct opposition to the very principles and laws of the United States and will not be tolerated.

Civilized people - Muslims, Christians and Jews - all understand that the source of freedom and human dignity is the Creator.

Every medium by which people communicate can be subject to exploitation by those with illegal intentions. Nevertheless, this is no reason to hand Big Brother the keys to unlock our e-mail diaries, open our ATM records, read our medical records, or translate our international communications.

We're going to protect and honor the Constitution, and I don't have the authority to set it aside.... If I had the authority to set it aside, this would be a dangerous government, and I wouldn't respect it.

This view of the text comports with the all but unanimous understanding of the Founding Fathers.