You know, as somebody who writes op-eds and appears on the television, I appreciate as well as anybody that... there is a limit to what that accomplishes.

I don't do carrots.

I am pro-American.

I’ve been surrounded by some of the best economic minds in the country, and hopefully I’ve absorbed some of that.

I’ve never attended any Tea Party functions.

It’s very personal in its politics, very bitter and very negative.

I’ve been in the government bureaucracy, I’ve practiced law, I’ve done a lot of different things.

A lot of people have said to me, ‘That’s a great idea, running for president. You’ll get booked for more speeches. You can write a book.’

I’m obviously aware that people are quite focused on the economy rather than foreign policy issues, but that is something that should and can be altered as people see the nature of the threats around the world that we face.

Just like Sept. 11, only with nuclear weapons this time, that’s the threat. I think that is the threat. I think it’s just facing reality. It’s not a happy reality, but it’s reality and if you don’t deal with it, it will become even more unpleasant.