To my great disappointment it appears that the politics of division are making a big comeback. Many Americans share my disappointment - especially those who were filled with great hope a few years ago when then-Senator Obama announced his candidacy in Springfield Illinois.

I hope I'm wrong but I am afraid that Iraq is going to turn out to be the greatest disaster in American foreign policy - worse than Vietnam not in the number who died but in terms of its unintended consequences and its reverberation throughout the region.

Hundreds of thousands of American servicemen and women are deployed across the world in the war on terror. By bringing hope to the oppressed and delivering justice to the violent they are making America more secure.

I am a beneficiary of the American people's generosity and I hope we can have comprehensive immigration legislation that allows this country to continue to be enriched by those who were not born here.

I had in mind a message although I hope it doesn't intrude too badly persuading Americans and especially Southerners of the critical importance of land and our vanishing natural environment and wildlife.

When too many Americans don't vote or participate some see apathy and despair. I see disappointment and even outrage. And I believe that out of this frustration can come hope and action.

Conservatism is not about leaving people behind. Conservatism is about empowering people to catch up to give them the tools at their disposable that make it possible for them to access all the hope all the promise all the opportunity that America offers. And our programs to help them should reflect that.

Together we will build an America where hope is a new job with a paycheck not a faded word on an old bumper sticker.

I hope that no American will waste his franchise and throw away his vote by voting either for me or against me solely on account of my religious affiliation. It is not relevant.

The rich are always going to say that you know just give us more money and we'll go out and spend more and then it will all trickle down to the rest of you. But that has not worked the last 10 years and I hope the American public is catching on.