I would have been glad to have lived under my wood side, and to have kept a flock of sheep, rather than to have undertaken this government.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
But I would have executed much greater things, had not government always opposed my exertions, and placed others in situations which would have suited my talents.
I would have been a disastrous soldier.
Even if I was a Republican, George Bush would have pushed me out of that party.
I'd have liked to have been a bit more intellectual. I'd have liked to have had more brains.
I really think I'd have enjoyed the life of a Regency buck.
I would bring the government back to what it was intended to be - a plain economical government.
I would have liked the old days.
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 would always be happy to serve my country in any way that I was called upon to do.
On balance, my life has been a constant stream of blessings rather than disappointments and failures and tragedies. I wish I had been re-elected. I think I could have kept our country at peace. I think I could have consolidated what we achieved at Camp David with a treaty between Israel and the Palestinians.