We believe in a government that is characterized by fairness and reasonableness, a reasonableness that goes beyond labels, that doesn't distort or promise to do things that we know we can't do.

For too many, the dream of economic mobility has been replaced with a nightmare of economic stagnation.

The American people need no course in philosophy or political science or church history to know that God should not be made into a celestial party chairman.

A shining city is perhaps all the president sees from the portico of the White House and the veranda of his ranch, where everyone seems to be doing well. But there's another part to the shining city. In this part of the city there are more poor than ever, more families in trouble, more and more people who need help but can't find it.

Outrage is easy, cheap, and oversold. The nation needs less anger and more thoughtful reflection, less shouting and more listening, less dissembling and more honesty.

You want calamities? What about the Ice Age? God made this world, but didn't complete it.

For me to make lasagna would be a desecration of a great Italian dish. . . . I don't mess with sacred things.