We believe that in times like these we should turn to each other, not on each other. We believe that government has a role to play, not in solving every problem in everybody's life but in helping people help themselves to the American dream. That's what Democrats believe.

For too long, Democrats have been telling people what they want to hear. I'm going to tell you what I believe.

I very much believe in values-based leadership and that the values that I believe in and try to govern by are transcendent values.

In the view of some people, you can only believe in civil rights if you work as a civil rights lawyer. I just don't buy that.

I'd like to have another opportunity to serve. I believe in service. I enjoy it. I also like coming and going, you know, because I think that my private-sector life has contributed to how I think about public-sector challenges and what I do in the public sector.

It's time for democrats to grow a backbone and stand up for what we believe.