As the society has gotten larger and more complex, individuals have lost their ability to influence any of the institutions that affect their lives.

Look at the declining television coverage. Look at the declining voting rate. Economics and economic news is what moves the country now, not politics.

People just automatically say 'If this guy is George and Barbara Bush's son, we don't have any question about those personal qualities that we were fooled on by Clinton.'

Every person has only so much attention to give, and politics and government takes up only a fraction of what it did 25 years ago.

Many citizens see all the leadership of these large institutions together in a conspiracy against them rather than in any adversary relationship with each other.

Research has shown that the perceived style of leadership is by far the most important thing to most voters in evaluating officeholders and candidates.

The President's political travel is going to get blamed (and probably rightly) for a share of this downturn.

It is my belief that it is not the fact that he traveled as much as he did during the past few months as much as what he said and how he said it that hurt him.

Also the fact that anything he does is seen and heard by the entire country, not just his actual audience or those who live in the region he happens to be in.

The President, the Administration and the campaign need a theme. I am concerned that the President is seen as a tactician without an overall strategy of his plan for the country.

This is easy to say with the benefit of hindsight, but I think it once again points out how very important style of leadership, that is the way he does what he does, is to his perception.

It's worth making time to find the things that really stir your soul. That’s what makes you really feel alive. You have to say ‘no’ to other things you’re used to, and do it with all your heart.

As human beings, our first commandment is:Something needs to happen

It's time we learned the truth about stress. It's time we identified the thoughts that actually create our stress and learned to dismantle them one by one.

Marriage is unbelievable, i couldn't be more in love.

I used to think that diamonds were a girl's best friend, but now I realize it's carbohydrates. Seriously, I have a French baguette at home sporting a matching friendship bracelet.

The Middle Eastern states aren't nations; they're quarrels with borders.

I come from the tradition of a big Irish family that loves to sing. I love to perform.

It is in times of crisis that good leaders emerge.

Move forward with purpose

Most of my music is improvisation, and composition is improvisation. Even if I have a score, it is improvisation.