No one on his deathbed ever said, "I wish I had spent more time on my business."

I am an American. I love this country.

This land, this water, this air, this planet - this is our legacy to our young.

A commencement is a time of joy. It is also a time of melancholy. But then again, so is life.

That sense of sacredness, that thinking in generations, must begin with reverence for this earth.

Breastroke is an athletic event, butterfly is a political statement.

The core of America is not racist. It is not hostile to women. It is increasingly offended by gay bashing. Yet it abhors government waste. It believes strongly in fiscal responsibility such as balanced budgets. It is pro-economic growth. It is concerned about the environment. It is intolerant of people on welfare who disdain the notion of work. But it wants poor kids to have school lunches and it wants to spend money to have good schools. In sum, most Americans are sensible, good-hearted, and prudent. The issue, then, is whether there is a political party that can welcome them home.