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I was pretty successful before Sept. 11 and fully expected that when I left being mayor I would be very successful.

I've used the prestige and influence of having been a president of the United States as effectively as possible. And secondly, I've still been able to carry out my commitments to peace and human rights and environmental quality and freedom and democracy and so forth.

I ran for Congress because I want to make sure others have the same chance at the dream that I had for generations to come.

I was first elected to public office when the Reagan revolution was in full swing. Maximizing freedom guided the policies of that era, with tremendous success.

I'd spent 25 years in government when I left the Defense Department back in '93, decided I'd go spend the rest of my career in the private sector, and then the president tapped me to come be his running mate. And it's been a remarkable experience. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

I was Mayor of New York during a great Yankees dynasty. I got to preside over the city during four Yankees championships.

Getting elected Governor of New Mexico, I really did enjoy that job. I thought I made a really big difference, and I think the same running for president of the United States - that I could make a really big, positive difference.

I prospered very quickly. Very quickly, I became politically empowered. I was running my own business.