This board is no rubber stamp. These are all assertive and articulate leaders who have many ideas for shaping this organization and for creating a health care system that responds to the needs and demands of the health care consumer.

That could have a really profound impact.

There was a lot of talk that he was going to make all out-of-pocket [health-care] spending tax deductible, which I thought was a pretty lousy idea.

Leaders shouldn't attach moral significance to their ideas: Do that, and you can't compromise.

New Yorkers now vote for vision, ideas, and skills that bring the city together, and for leaders who appeal to our common public interest instead of the special interests. That's the appeal of Bloomberg; people believe he isn't a typical politician, and that his only priority is a well-run city.

It's going to be the largest gathering of our members, activists and leaders ever. This is going to really be the first time that all of our activists are coming together to discuss where we should go and what we want to do nationwide.