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If you can't put your values into your vote, we don't have a democracy.

I'm part of a party that I think values making sure that everyone in this country has an opportunity to succeed. That's why I'm a Democrat.

As our values are the core to who we are as human beings, they are also the easiest way to identify and connect with others in meaningful ways. Think about it - most political campaigns are based around values. Barack Obama's 2008 election campaign galvanized millions of youth behind two very clear values - hope and change.

The values that I have are the values I was raised with, from where I'm from, which is a middle-class place. So that informs everything about me, my politics and all that stuff. I mean, politically, I vote against my own self-interest at every election. I actively ask these people to raise my taxes.

If you lose, you can't lead. If you don't lead, you're irrelevant. Winning is what it's all about in politics.

I think for voters what matters is the values that drive the government.

What's important is that, come the general election, people think the right things of you. They think that you've got the right values and the right policies. And that you're the right kind of person to lead the country.

I've decided to lead in a way that takes people with me. It's the approach that I think will stand not only our party but also our state in good stead.

The values and voices of democracy are silent. Either we have lost touch with those values or, no better, believe they need not or cannot be taught.

Concerned about re-election, interest-group reactions, the media, or fundraising, many legislators have found it in their interest to refuse to cooperate with members of the opposing party - or to treat them as enemies in some kind of war, in which the whole point is to defeat and humiliate them. But the American people have been the real losers.