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

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'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?

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.

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.

Mom asked for a cupcake miracle? Well, here comes the freaking holy angel of icing, at your service. --

The conscience is a right mix of instinct, reason and culture. The conscience itself is not a truth but it has an ability to access the truth. But the very conscience is assembled only by the reason.

Tempo ... now there's a big word.

The mere imparting of information is not education. Above all things, the effort must result in making a man think and do for himself.

I would rather sleep only five hours and wake up at 5 or 5:30 a.m. and be in control of my time than to sleep later and spend the entire day controlled by time.

When you're stuck on something creatively, you can't solve a problem, you go to a coffee shop.

Just because you're old that doesn't mean you're more forgetful. The same people whose names I can't remember now I couldn't remember fifty years ago. . .

Religion becomes a hollow shell of its former self when ritual remains and thoughtful reflection disappears.

There are endless treasures of grace waiting for those who will make even the most feeble attempts to pray. The weakest prayers yield grace.

I didn't come to New York to be a star. I brought my star with me.