I'm confident that our government is not doing all it should do. We thought about what we could have done or should have done. The potential for destruction is immense. Excess is something I'd rather have on national security than anywhere else.

We as lawyers and politicians have infinite debate without appreciating the situation. Some of these constitutional niceties scholars debate maybe don't apply to a time when airliners are crashing into 110-story buildings.

Under the war powers (of the Constitution), it is defensible and he has the responsibility to do what is necessary to protect the country. Does this mean federal agents are going to start following me or you? No. This is very circumscribed.

the government is responding.

Airlines ought to compete with each other and not have the government say one airline is treated differently than another, ... That is the problem I have with this bill. It looks like it would help Northwest but doesn't help a carrier like Continental.

What we do in government now affects the future of 18- to 30-year-olds, yet few vote and most people don't understand them, ... I like to encourage their participation in government, and I like to hear their take on issues.