There's value in checks and balances. And there's value in having independence in the governor's office with respect to the legislature.

We must have courage to set partisanship aside and embrace the best ideas and solutions no matter which side of the aisle they come from.

When my brothers and I were young, my mom, a Democrat, and my dad, a Republican, used to lead freewheeling discussions at our dinner table. The only rule was paying attention when others were talking, and no interrupting.

When leaders choose to burn bridges instead of build them, they sacrifice their ability to do their jobs.

Politics and public life are not for the faint of heart. It has been and always will be a noisy and cantankerous place.

When public leaders turn public debates into words of war - 'enemies' 'go to hell' 'attack' - they are enabling the edgiest of their followers to take things into their hands, and unfortunately, some of them do.