We invaded Iraq to change a totalitarian, despotic regime, and we have been successful there.

Recent action in Syria and Palestine also tell us that the awakening voices of democracy in those regions are occurring, and that those in that region are able to pursue it without being stifled by terrorists that are despotic.

I have never been opposed to earmarks.

I've always been a strong supporter of environmental protection and initiatives in that area. But I'm willing to set priorities. If we have to make reductions in one place, we'll have to-in order to increase another place, I'm willing to do that.

Actually, I have been very supportive of a very robust stimulus package from day one. I think this economy has to have a major stimulus initiative because the only group with liquidity is the federal government.

[The administration has] bought into the idea this should be a bottom-up thing, ... The danger is confusion, inefficiency and huge bureaucratic frustration.