Everywhere I go on the campaign trail, I meet voters with a real thirst for a healthy discussion of the issues. Ultimately, people don't care whether an issue comes from the left or the right. What they want to talk about are ideas that lift America up and make us better. It's what I call 'Vertical Politics'.

So when we're really addressing issues like poverty, you can't do that without addressing the real driver of some of those, which is stable homes, families. So that's why to me those issues are important. They're not frivolous. They're critical economic issues.

It's when ordinary people rise above the expectations and seize the opportunity that milestones truly are reached.

Plays bass guitar in rock band "Capitol Offense".

Opposing Bush's troop surge is a dangerous position.

I've always suggested if you can't stand the sight of your own blood, don't run for office.

You know, in my hometown of Hope, Arkansas, the three sacred heroes were Jesus, Elvis, and FDR, not necessarily in that order.