John F. Kerry

“In 1970, as a 26 year-old, I joined in the effort in my home state of Massachusetts to organize for Earth Day. But what made the event so successful was that I was only one of about 20 million Americans of all ages and backgrounds who got involved.”

“Foreign policy is effectively the assertion of many individual countries intersecting on the global marketplace. And you have to figure out how to get your interest served in a way that meets the interests and needs of these other folks.”

“We have traded a dictator for a chaos that has left America less secure.”

“Real Democrats don't abandon the middle class.”

“You just don't, in the 21st century, behave in 19th-century fashion by invading another country on completely trumped up pre-text.”

“War should be not a war of choice; it should be a war of necessity. And it should be a last resort.”

“I love to play guitar and hack around. I was in a band when I was in high school. I never learned to play very well, but I enjoyed it.”

“Democracy relies on free speech. Yes, say anything you want, but it relies even more on the speech being truthful. It is the truth, after all, that sets us free.”

“The solution to climate change is staring us in the face. It's energy policy. If we pursue a global clean-energy economy, we can cut dramatically the amount of carbon pollution we emit into the atmosphere and prevent the worst impacts of climate change.”

“I have been passionate about the oceans since I dipped my toes in the water at the first age of three.”

“You can't let concerns stop you; they drive you and they motivate you.”

“I'm a person who has always believed that you tell people the truth, and they'll make reasonable decisions. Truth is powerful.”

“Climate change, if unchecked, is an urgent threat to health, food supplies, biodiversity, and livelihoods across the globe.”

“Mitt Romney says he believes in America and that he will restore American exceptionalism. I have news for him, we already have an exceptional American as president and we believe in Barack Obama.”

“President Obama has made it his mission that we welcome our troops home with care and concern and the respect they deserve. That is how an exceptional nation says thank you to its most exceptional men and women.”

“It's not enough for one country or even a few countries to reduce emissions when other countries continue to fill the atmosphere with carbon pollution as they see fit.”

“I know there are a lot of musicians and a lot of artists, and there are a lot of writers and other people who inspire young people, but I'd like to see somebody in political life be able to connect and make these choices that we need to make in Washington real in terms of people's lives.”

“NAFTA recognizes the reality of today's economy - globalization and technology. Our future is not in competing at the low-level wage job; it is in creating high-wage, new technology jobs based on our skills and our productivity.”

“I went into the Navy because I love the ocean, and I am still privileged to have a place that I can go to that's by the water.”

“One of the most cherished photographs in my life is a picture of me with John Lennon - who I met back in 1971 at an anti-war rally.”