In the midst of applying for American citizenship, of finally attempting to get my presidents in a row, I felt it incumbent upon myself to explore the national psyche in every way.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I feel that I am a citizen of the American dream and that the revolutionary struggle of which I am a part is a struggle against the American nightmare.
Society leaders have urged me to seek the presidency.
I wanted to be what my high-school civics and history teacher thought of as a good American. That automatically involved taking an interest in government.
I tend to be a great optimist when it comes to the United States and the American way of life, I think precisely because I wasn't born into it.
For years now, long before I became House majority leader, I have been passionate about foreign affairs because I believe that anyone who leads in Washington must appreciate the significance of America's role in providing for global security and prosperity.
I had a unique circumstance in which my career was associated with George W. Bush, who went straight to the top. I went to work for him in October of 1993. So my whole identity in national politics is associated with this president, and you know, I kind of want to leave it that way. It's not tugging at me to go do the '08 cycle.
My great-grandfather, like many, came to this country in search of the American dream.
After I became a citizen, I felt freer to say what I thought about this country, both negative and positive. I think I had been, consciously and subconsciously, biting my tongue in the past.
I try to associate myself as just being myself - and being a person, an American citizen, going out there every day and just trying to be successful.
My fellow citizens, the American Presidency is not supposed to be a journey of personal discovery.