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I have given to Democrats in the past. I've always believed in supporting the best candidate at the time.

I had supported Governor George W. Bush over Senator John McCain in the 2000 Rhode Island presidential primary.

I supported Hillary Clinton. She would have made an excellent president. I didn't think she could get elected. I thought it was too soon.

We would all like to vote for the best man but he is never a candidate.

During the 2008 campaign, I strongly endorsed Barack Obama for president. I did so early, when many Democratic leaders - including many prominent African-American politicians - believed the safe bet was to back then-front-runner Hillary Clinton.

I decided early on, very early, that the best role I could play is to speak in my own voice, assume my own voice and my own ideas. Even if you support a candidate who ultimately wins, what you say and do is seen through the filter of that candidate.

I consider myself an excellent candidate... because I care.

I always tried to do what I believed is right and I've always voted the way that I believe was the right way for my constituency, and that's what I'm doing when I govern.

My party has historically nominated someone who's a mainstream conservative.

The possibility of my presidential candidacy emerged spontaneously in public opinion polls. For my part, I noticed people's affection when I was doing work on the ground. I think the important thing is that my candidacy was born from citizens themselves, driven by the people and which the parties picked up favorably.