Quote

But to make a long story short, I decided that I was going to run, and I announced that I was going to run for president in Florida, I would be the favorite son from Florida, and that would stop Johnson and Kennedy from dividing up the state.

I'm a former governor, and so I was the chief executive, and when the legislature wasn't in session, I was running the state.

I was forced to come into politics because Saakashvili had destroyed the opposition. I had a choice either to leave the country, because it was dangerous to live here, or to go into politics.

Mr. President, you were elected to lead. You chose to follow. And now it's time for you to get out of the way.

I went to Massachusetts to make a difference. I didn't go there to begin a political career running time and time again. I made a difference. I put in place the things I wanted to do.

I came into office to do what was correct, not to see what was politically expedient to get re-elected.

I was on leave from local and regional politics, as long as I was a Minister.

When I finished my term, I thought about running for governor then but decided not to because, frankly, I didn't think I was ready. I wasn't comfortable that I was prepared to do the job.

Declaring independence was the most traumatic decision I had to live up to. Because I didn't want to do it.