I'm sure people are badmouthing me. I think one of the interesting parts about the criticism has been the tenor of "how dare he." How dare an insider speak critically about other insiders?

Media has changed dramatically, as you and I know. We're in a world now where you're rewarded for being outrageous. Punditry has replaced reporting as the gold standard of journalism.

I think as long as you're straight with people, as long as you honor ground rules, as long as you serve your readers, you're going to get the door opened for you.

I always keep my repertorial hat on.

Spirituality in Washington can be more of a - I don't want to say it - but, a networking opportunity. Religion is often used opportunistically in the political conversation.

I think that part of being a good journalist, part of being an awake member of the world youre in, is to view yourself as an outsider, and I always have, to some degree.

Washington has always had a pretty healthy amount of self-loathing.

I'm just a journalist. I shine a mirror to the culture. I give the cop-out answer.

The shaming of Washington, insofar as it is even possible, is a very noble pursuit.

I've done a lot of tough stories over the years. I've done a lot of profiles over the years that have not always been, shall we say, helpful for the person who is being written about.

I work for a big newspaper, and I guess I'm an insider. I don't have the luxury of calling myself a foreign correspondent and just swooping in and then leaving.

The cost of a thing is the amount of what I will call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run.

I have already lost the knowledge of the word whose sound has the shape of a soul. But perhaps it's not too late. Come with me. Hurry now. We still have a chance to be young.

One opinion can make a fool out of a once wise person

I want to warn you. I'm going to kiss you, and you're going to like it.A lot.

I grew up on the East Coast, and we always used to say, 'Go get your hustle on, ' whether it was playing sports or making money. You do what you have to do to do what you want to do.

You might be a redneck if your bumper sticker says, My other car is a combine.

Last guy I was interested in turned out to be an incestuous necrophiliac," she said. "So no, not currently dating, and definitely not doing any more shopping in the 'sociopath' category

I do have high standards, but I don't expect anything from anyone that I don't expect from myself.

I totally love to act. I don't care if it's a musical, a comedy. I just like to work and interact with other people.

My mind boggles at the amount of violence inflicted upon children in today's society.