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As a state senator and then a congressman, I've had the privilege of trying to do good things for people to whom I owe so much and can never fully repay.

My focus has been on being a good congressman, and there is so much other work to do.

But I made one mistake which I would never repeat as a member of Congress when I was in Washington, and that was when I was elected I didn't go on trips because I was so afraid of having someone accuse me of taking junkets.

In the end, I think part of my problem was that I was a better legislator than I was a politician.

I just want to be a really good congressman. You should look at what you are today and be the very best you can.

I put myself and all the members of Congress in the same boat of things that could have been done better.

I parted ways with the Congress, a party that I served for so many years, because its leadership constantly humiliated me by ignoring my talent both as a leader and an administrator.

I'd like to think I'm a serious legislator and trying to get things done.

I'm a recovering politician.