Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. I am talking about a gung-ho attitude that says 'we can change things here, we can achieve awesome goals, we can be the best. 'Spare me the grim litany of the 'realist;' give me the unrealistic aspirations of the optimist any day.

One of the fondest expressions around is that we can't be the world's policeman. But guess who gets called when suddenly someone needs a cop.

Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence.

If you get the dirty end of the stick, sharpen it and turn it into a useful tool.

High-quality early-childhood programs and health coverage have expanded, and the number of mentoring relationships for at-risk youth has risen dramatically. That progress is encouraging, but it's not evenly distributed.

As I've thought about gay marriage, I don't see any reason not to say that [couples] should be able to get married.