Hillary Clinton was in rural America during the Iowa caucuses, but I think the nature of a campaign makes it more difficult once you become the candidate. There's a messaging opportunity here throughout, not just in the election season, but before the election, the opportunity to underscore what government is doing in a positive way in partnership with rural folks. I think it's a messaging issue. It's being there physically, talking to folks, listening to people, respecting and admiring what they do, and then making sure that they understand precisely what the partnership is.

What Republicans have done in my view is that they are systematically dismantling a sense of community in America.

If we are to transition to a new economy and to lead it, we must start by transforming our schools.

The food pyramid is very complicated. It doesn't give you as much info in a quick glance as the plate does.

People don't understand rural America. Sixteen percent of our population is rural, but 40 percent of our military is rural. I don't believe that's because of a lack of opportunity in rural America. I believe that's because if you grow up in rural America, you know you can't just keep taking from the land. You've got to give something back.

Strong communities ... embrace change. New discoveries require us to think differently and approach things differently, to think anew.

If we can get people to focus on fruits and vegetables and more healthy foods, we'll be better in terms of our healthcare situation.