Hypocrisy is the scarlet letter in politics.

Debates require a lot of hard work and preparation. If you try to wing it, it shows.

Outside events can change a presidential campaign, a president, and the history of the nation: the Iranian hostage crisis, the bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, the downing of the helicopter in Mogadishu, Somalia, the suicide attack on the USS Cole, and, of course, the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

At some point he has to show that he has a vision of a better way. He can't just say 'The future is bleak, follow me.' Because no one will.

A competition of the best ideas - that should be what Congress is about.

As in nature, politics abhors a vacuum. Without a strong voice for more moderate leadership, the Tea Party is filling that vacuum.

I've spent the better part of my career in politics and public policy working on and fighting for education reforms.