"If history is a guide, a victory for Obama means he faces the prospect of a second term dogged by scandal or inertia."

"Hollywood has a history of raising expectations beyond Washington's reach, of appealing to the very American desire to mythologize political leaders, particularly the president."

"Say what you want to say about the rest of his presidency, including his tone-deaf response to Katrina and a war waged in Iraq on false pretenses, Bush connected with Americans in the aftermath of 9/11 because he looked as frail and unforgiving as we felt."

"If acknowledging that racial misgivings and misunderstandings are still a part of politics and life in America, I plead guilty."

"Use your health, even to the point of wearing it out. That is what it is for. Spend all you have before you die do not outlive yourself."

"It is a wearisome illness to preserve one's health by too strict a regimen."

"To love deeply is to give someone the power to heal what words cannot reach. This remains the cornerstone of personal mastery — an essential principle for the reflective life."

"Successful health reform must not just make health insurance affordable, affordable health insurance has to make health care affordable."