Politics

In just a few moments, you will take an oath — not to a person, not to a political party, but to the Constitution.

The effort is optional, but the truth is sacred, unalterable, chiseled into the stone of the foundation of our republic.

America is the only country in the world founded on an idea. Not a joke. The idea was: we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men and women are created equal.

The challenges we face go well beyond a virus, and the old normal wasn't good enough.

Don't fall for the easy cynicism that says, 'Nothing can change.' Or that there's only one way to bring about change.

Conservatism is not a reaction, but a reminder from a wise old friend. It is not the antidote to progressivism. It is not the antidote to anything. It is its own vivid and particular mood, or attitude. It is an attempt at wisdom, grounded in knowledge of human history and human nature.

The secret of successful politics: Be moved more by what you love than what you hate.

Everyone gets knocked down. What matters is whether you get back up and keep going.

Healing our country is going to take what I call radical empathy. This is a moment to reach across divides of race, class, and politics, to try to see the world through the eyes of people very different from ourselves.

This is a battle-hardened hope, tempered by loss and clear-eyed about the stakes.

They seem to view our diversity as a threat to be contained rather than as a resource to be tapped. They tell us to be afraid of those who are different, to be suspicious of those with whom we disagree.

When you hear someone longing for the 'good old days,' take it with a grain of salt. The 'good old days' weren't that great.