The only thing holding us back is ourselves.

Something called 'the Oklahoma Standard' became known throughout the world. It means resilience in the face of adversity. It means a strength and compassion that will not be defeated.

No other investment yields as great a return as the investment in education. An educated workforce is the foundation of every community and the future of every economy.

Education is not solely about earning a great living. It means living a great life.

Reading builds the educated and informed electorate so vital to our democracy.

Let us be bold. Let us be brave. Let us be together.

There is too much at stake for us to surrender to the politics of polarization.

Resilience is woven deeply into the fabric of Oklahoma. Throw us an obstacle, and we grow stronger.

For only by nurturing the minds and strengthening the values of our children can we give them an opportunity to be full, productive citizens, to reach their God-given potential, and to have good jobs right here in Oklahoma.

We must give Oklahoma families the opportunity to thrive and prosper. We must give all Oklahomans the tools necessary to pursue the American dream. And then, we must get out of the way.

This is not the time for partisan bickering. This is not the time for politics as usual. Some of us are Democrats. Some of us are Republicans. Some of us are Independents. Above all, we must be Oklahomans first.

It is a paradox that far too few Americans participate in the wonderful ritual of democracy that we call Election Day.

Believe in yourself, and the rest will fall into place. Have faith in your own abilities, work hard, and there is nothing you cannot accomplish.

What unites Oklahomans today is what has always united us: Our unshakable faith. Our love of family and compassion for others. The unlimited promise of a hopeful future.

A fundamental duty of government is to protect its people.

In charting our course to the future, we are mindful of our path from the past.

No matter where you stand politically - even if you're unsure of what your political ideology is - it is important to take part in the process of shaping our government.

If ever there was a time for true bipartisanship, it is today.

The status quo is simply unacceptable.

Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.

The only thing holding us back is ourselves.

Oklahomans value our children and our seniors. Oklahomans value traditions of faith. Oklahomans value our heroes, our veterans. Oklahomans value innovation and the creative arts.

A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.

The worst thing we can do is to do nothing.

No one should have to choose between medicine and other necessities. No one should have to use the emergency room every time a child gets sick. And no one should have to live in constant fear that a medical problem will become a financial crisis.

It is only through raising expectations and striving for excellence that our children can reach their full potential.

Believe in yourself and the rest will fall into place. Have faith in your own abilities work hard and there is nothing you cannot accomplish.

Families are the compass that guides us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights and our comfort when we occasionally falter.

Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights and our comfort when we occasionally falter.

A good teacher can inspire hope ignite the imagination and instill a love of learning.

I had to listen to the classical music because it calms me down, calms my nerves down.

The Citizens United ruling did not invent special-interest spending; it enables corporations and unions to advocate directly on behalf of a candidate rather than running more subtle 'issue ads.'

I think the older you are, the more you're going to cling to the printed word as being sacred.

I'm lucky I've been able to spend a lot of time with my family.

But if we have been willing to give our lives to this enterprise, which is for the honour of our country, I appeal to our countrymen to see that those who depend on us are properly cared for.

Just the title of 'American Idol' is something that people can look up to. I'm not Saint Scott, I'm not Mr. Perfect, but I want to be that role model.

Getting a traditional pharmaceutical to the market can cost a billion dollars or more. Newer, more tailored and targeted drugs called biologics are even more complex and expensive. Simple economics dictates that companies and venture funds will invest more in products that can generate a sufficient return.

I'm nihilistic, antagonistic, violent, horrible - but not obliterated, yet. I just refuse to be beaten down. I think it's stubborness that keeps me going.

It's a lonesome walk to the sidelines, especially when thousands of people are cheering your replacement.

When I go on holiday and people ask me what I do, I tell them I do some internet stuff and I've done a couple of books and I hope they just leave it at that.

Then, with lots of people doing that without ever looking over their shoulders to see how they were affecting anybody else, it couldn't work, and it didn't work, and it just came to a standstill.

The perfect is the enemy of the good.

Don't surrender all your joy for an idea you used to have about yourself that isn't true anymore.

The First Amendment doesnt give anybody the right to be heard. People dont have to listen to you.

When I left art school and went in search of work, visiting publishers and showing them my drawings and illustrations, I was met with a polite and sometimes enthusiastic response but no commissions.

I wanted to experience New York, to look up and see buildings.

I used to have 30 different species of tarantulas, as well as two Australian scorpions that are considered the deadliest in the world. If stung by one, a person would die in 30 minutes. But when I had kids I had to get rid of them, of course. Those were intense!

Performing has been part of my life since I was eight years old, so that's what I think I do. I don't think about the fact that it happens to be in a bigger venue where people get to know you, or they think they do.

I don't really relate to myself as The Girl in the Magazine. Which is dangerous for me, too, sometimes, because I don't think all the time, 'Well, look to see if people are following me home.' Sometimes I'm a little bit more free than maybe I should be.