Such a television debate ... is uncommon to our political system.

Our parties and Presidential candidates must find ways to differ without being destructive, to debate without demonizing, to put our national interest ahead of special interests, to take the long view rather than the most politically expedient short-term view, to rise above partisan politics to put America first.

The dividing question in the debate is not do we do something, but whatever we do, do we do it alone?

I don't debate with liars.

In the first debate, no one attacked Clark because he was brand new. In the second debate, we attacked him because his numbers were up. But now people see his numbers are going right back where they started. His numbers are plummeting, so it's not worth it for us.

I'm leaving it up for public debate.