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If you are a Representative and want to be a Senator, you must be careful not to do anything which might upset the various forces you need to harness to get elected.

I'm not a career politician, so the ways of Washington may be a little obscure to me.

I don't look forward to a time when every politician, every legislator goes to Washington absolutely committed to an extreme point of view. Elected representatives are sent to Washington to compromise, not to never compromise.

I just know that I'm innovative. I'm a quick thinker... In Washington, I just want to be a senator who finds a way to drive change and not figure out a way to conform.

I don't want to come to Washington to be just another vote. I want to lead on issues that are important.

You think your congressman is working all day to get you a job? He may want to. He or she is probably not a bad person. They probably want to do the right thing. But they can't.

Most senators are just going to work and trying to do a job.

While it's true that Washington would benefit from more civility, the Senate, behind the scenes, is an extraordinarily collegial institution.

I just want to be a really good congressman. You should look at what you are today and be the very best you can.

Members of Congress have more in common with the people they hobnob in Washington, D.C., than they do with the people they're supposed to represent.