People go into politics because they want the affirmation, and they want the applause.

• I am fiscally prudent and socially progressive. I believe in protecting a woman's right to choose. I believe in marriage equality.
• Marriage equality changed life for people.
• My father was against the death penalty, and that was hard in the Son of Sam summer when fear was driving the desire for the death penalty.
• I believe we need to attract a new generation of the best and brightest to public service and I believe that government can be a source of inspiration, not degradation.
• New York State is upside down and backwards high taxes and low performance. The New York State government was at one time a national model. Now, unfortunately, it's a national disgrace. Sometimes, the corruption in Albany could even make Boss Tweed blush.
• Too often government responds to the whispers of lobbyists before the cries of the people.
• I am the government.
• The Declaration of Independence says when government fails, the people have the right to replace it. Well, New York State government has failed and the people have the right, indeed the people have the the people have the obligation, to act.
• The essential job of government is to facilitate, not frustrate, job development.
• I'm in politics. I'm in government, so nothing surprises me.