The President's political travel is going to get blamed (and probably rightly) for a share of this downturn.

Look at the declining television coverage. Look at the declining voting rate. Economics and economic news is what moves the country now, not politics.

People just automatically say 'If this guy is George and Barbara Bush's son, we don't have any question about those personal qualities that we were fooled on by Clinton.'

Every person has only so much attention to give, and politics and government takes up only a fraction of what it did 25 years ago.

Many citizens see all the leadership of these large institutions together in a conspiracy against them rather than in any adversary relationship with each other.

Research has shown that the perceived style of leadership is by far the most important thing to most voters in evaluating officeholders and candidates.

It is my belief that it is not the fact that he traveled as much as he did during the past few months as much as what he said and how he said it that hurt him.

Also the fact that anything he does is seen and heard by the entire country, not just his actual audience or those who live in the region he happens to be in.

The President, the Administration and the campaign need a theme. I am concerned that the President is seen as a tactician without an overall strategy of his plan for the country.

As the society has gotten larger and more complex, individuals have lost their ability to influence any of the institutions that affect their lives.

This is easy to say with the benefit of hindsight, but I think it once again points out how very important style of leadership, that is the way he does what he does, is to his perception.

solemnly keep your deeds in silence

God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. The weaker I became, the more powerful became the preaching.

You must have an alibi to show why you lost. If you haven't one, you must fake one. You self confidence must be maintained.

Probably no man ever had a friend that he did not dislike a little.

Success never needs an excuse.

I’ve never lived my life by the expectations society puts on you. When something doesn’t feel right or isn’t going the way it should, I listen to my instincts and change it.

Come, then, affliction, if my Father wills, and be my frowning friend. A friend that frowns is better than a smiling enemy.

To yield readily--easily--to the persuasion of a friend is no merit.... To yield without conviction is no compliment to the understanding of either.

As I traveled from one country to another, no one knew anything about me. So I could be anybody, I could speak as I wished, act as I wished, dress as I wished

The dove is my emblem.