I think it's important for Iowa and New Hampshire to maintain their status because having lived through this, I know how important the grass-roots campaigning is in both places to strengthening candidates and making them better for the general election.

Iowa was the preliminaries, New Hampshire begins the playoffs and I look forward to a spirited contest, ... The voters of Iowa have proven that the race for the Republican nomination will be a contest of ideas, not a coronation.

Look, we haven't won Iowa or New Hampshire, a vote hasn't been cast,

I've learned a lot about New Hampshire over the last couple of races, ... It's flat and fast and I think I'm improving with every lap that I run there.We accomplished making the 'Chase' but now it's time to focus on going after the championship. We have a great team and great race cars so if we can run consistently up front I don't think there's any reason why we couldn't be in contention for the big prize.

They have always lived on a razor blade, ... The problem is it doesn't take much to knock them off.

For students in Iowa, I think it sends the wrong message. I think it undermines our credibility when in one area we have the authority to set standards, we have such a minimum that is, in my opinion, embarrassing.