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I want to be the candidate placed on the ballot by the people, not the party.

I cannot in any case permit myself to be brought before the people, exclusively, by any of the political parties that now so unfortunately divide our country, as their candidate for office.

But getting your party structure right may also be a precondition for getting your policies right.

My conscience does not permit me to run for the presidency or any other official position unless it is within a democratic framework.

I've never been a member of a political party, but people will superimpose on you what they want.

I always thought of myself is a private-sector person. I was a reluctant candidate. I put in my time. Now it's somebody else's turn to take charge. But I am still very interested in politics.

I think I might as well give up being a candidate. There are so many people in the country who don't like me.

You won't get a rational assessment of a political party from a member, and you won't get a reasoned account of the joys of being 'linked' from somebody who's already 'in.'

Successful candidates follow a simple fundamental rule: Define yourself before your opponent can define you.