Quote

I was Speaker of the House in Florida, first Republican speaker in 120 years. And I totally dismantled the way this House worked and turned it around to what I believe is right.

I have a problem with the way the House is run. I believe that a few people at the top of a pyramid of power have controlled this place for a long time.

I went through two pretty dark years being fed up with the system and frustrated with my own party after two disastrous elections in 2006 and 2008.

I don't believe, in the 21st century, in the balance of power system. This is a European idea of the 19th and 20th centuries.

I have changed the style of functioning of the government and administration and managed to change the perception.

And when people in power can stay in power they do very little to tinker with the apparatus that put them in power.

For as long as anyone can remember, reliable, cheap electricity has been taken for granted in the United States.

We started focusing on this in earnest late summer and early fall. I can build more power plants. In the 12 years before us, not a single plant of major consequence was built.

I didn't set out with the notion of running for elective office; it sort of grew over time. And I honestly at times questioned if progressive change can be effected through elected office.