I see Americans of every party, every background, every faith who believe that we are stronger together: black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American; young, old; gay, straight; men, women, folks with disabilities, all pledging allegiance under the same proud flag to this big, bold country that we love. That's what I see. That's the America I know!

You wouldn't believe the kind of hate mail I get about my work on irregular verbs.

The Democrats have pretty much given up on the white working class. That would require a commitment to economic issues, and that's not their concern.

I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else.

The former colonies, in Latin America in particular, have a better chance than ever before to overcome centuries of subjugation, violence and foreign intervention, which they have so far survived as dependencies with islands of luxury in a sea of misery.