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I've been in a lot of elections.

I am the only Republican Congressman who represents a borough within New York City, a city of 8.5 million people.

I'm always running back and forth to the district.

For me it's more important to look at each constituency individually and find a community I feel I can serve to the best of my abilities, and where I feel I can make a real difference, and further their cause.

The Democratic Party, all the candidates from Washington, they all know each other, they all move in the same circles, and what I'm doing is breaking into the country club.

It takes time for 700,000 people to get to know their congressman.

My district goes a long ways across the southern part of Ohio, so just the opportunity to get to know so many people is a highlight itself, win or lose.

I see myself as a person who wants to serve the constituents within my district and find a way to move those who are not in our position philosophically to our position.

I do a lot of referendums. They can't talk back. They don't have wives. They don't have friends who tell you how to run the campaign. They are supported by special interests, so there's a lot of money in them.

I know something about how to build constituencies in an independent way.