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We need an honest politician in charge who doesn't care whether they are re-elected and is prepared to make the unpopular decisions.

I'm not going into personal details of meetings I have with anybody, be it John Howard or President Bush or President Putin or President Yeltsin, in years gone by, whoever it may be, I'm not going into that.

I think anybody who wants to be president has to be a politician, but I would like to find somebody who's coming from a loving place instead of a political place.

We tend to think of politicians as time-servers and slackers. But on those committees they usually have an interest in the subject. And they're quite clever. I've seen them pick people apart.

I'm willing to meet with anyone, Democrat or Republican, who has a good idea, an open mind and a willingness to come together to tackle the challenges we face.

If you're looking for someone to go to Washington, to go along to get along, to get - to agree with the career politicians in both parties who get in bed with the lobbyists and special interests, then I ain't your guy.

It is often constructive to meet with a candidate for a particular office, but I believe what is most important is the candidate's track record.

I turn down invitations to events where I know there will be politicians.

I rarely meet a politician that I don't like personally. They are generally well endowed with charm. Therein lies the danger.

Any politician who wants to run for president will come to me in a few years.