In some sense, not just the Gulf Coast was attacked, but America's self-confidence.

This is a moment of crisis, not just in the Gulf Coast, but in America's self-confidence in the way government responds to attacks.

The American people have lost confidence in George Bush because he hasn't leveled with them, ... We need a candidate who will meet the test of reaching a conclusion and having the courage to stick with it.

We need to rebuild the confidence of the American people ... in our government's ability to protect them from attack, whether it comes from nature or from terrorists, ... The government simply did not act quickly and effectively enough.

When did ethnicity become an excuse for mediocrity?

We are so much more than we think we are. That truth should truly humble us, because we aren't responsible for it.