Whenever you're faced with an explanation of what's going on in Washington, the choice between incompetence and conspiracy, always choose incompetence.

Incompetence is a better explanation than conspiracy in most human activity.

I get disgusted by the increasing — I don't want to say incompetence — but the outright crookedness in Washington and they don't do anything about it.

I don't mind going into a liberal lion's den. That's where you test yourself.

I think the editorial page of the Washington Post is the best in the country. I think the editorials - considering it's a liberal town, liberal constituency and from the liberal tradition - I think it's the best editorial page around. It's quite balanced.

I think if you're going to master policy, especially world affairs, you've got to know history.