"As women have played an increasingly important role in politics, there is no question that they've brought a different perspective, focusing attention on a broader set of issues and building alliances with other women."

"Washington is still very much a male-oriented culture. Being from Los Angeles, I think it is less so there - there is less attachment to tradition, perhaps, there is more flexibility, more acceptance of change generally. That is partly because of Hollywood."

"There are people in the public sector with a range of experiences that have no equivalent in business, but are essential to governing, like keeping a kid in school or helping someone get and hold a job. The value of those skills can't easily be measured against a bottom line."

"While eschewing emotion - and its companion, vulnerability - Obama should be careful not to sacrifice empathy, the 'I feel your pain' connection that sustained Clinton. This connection is the shorthand people use to measure their leaders' intentions. If people believe you're on their side, they will trust your decisions."

"The greatness of man is great in that he knows himself to be wretched. A tree does not know itself to be wretched."

"The foundation of joy is every failure is just a stepping stone to greatness."

"I believe as a born-again Christian that once you've had a chance to drink from the well, it becomes your responsibility to replenish the well."

"I want to deploy the leadership to meet the challenges that face us and to restore America's greatness."