Government is dysfunctional.

We have always had, remember, small groups of both parties that split off. There were the "blue dog Democrats." There were the "Dixie Democrats." Democrats were never going to, ever again, pull together.

In our democracy, near equality is no equality. Government either treats everyone the same, or it doesn't. And right now it doesn't.

The public is mad, frustrated, but what the public wants is progress.

Leading from the front: It's what built America. But these days, the federal government isn't at the front - it's cowering in the back corner of the room, ducking responsibility and hoping no one notices.

I'd be derelict in my duty if I didn't go and continue to use every advantage that I can to promote New York's cause.

If someone tells me they skied all day and never fell down, I tell them to find another mountain.