What is your vision of U.S. leadership?

"We must neither retreat from the world — nor try to bully it into submission. We must lead the world, by deed and example."

"I reject the notion that the American moment has passed."

How do you respond to those who say the United States' best days are behind it?

"I reject the notion that the American moment has passed. I dismiss the cynics who say that this new century cannot be another when, in the words of President Franklin Roosevelt, we lead the world in battling immediate evils and promoting the ultimate good."

How do you explain the world's largely negative attitude toward the United States?

"The disappointment that so many around the world feel toward America right now is only a testament to the high expectations they hold for us."

What will it take to change this?

"Meeting the expectations will require a new spirit — not of bluster and bombast, but of quiet confidence and sober intelligence, a spirit of care and renewed competence."

How do you view President Bush's performance?

"This president may occupy the White House — but for the last seven years the position of leader of the free world has remained open. And it's time to fill that role once more."

"Now it's out moment to lead — our generation's time to tell another great American story."

What would you do differently?

"If the next president can restore the American people's trust — if they know that he is acting with their best interests at heart, with prudence and wisdom and some measure of humility — then I believe the American people will be ready to see America lead again."

How does globalization affect national security?

"In today's globalized world, the security of the American people is inextricably linked to the security of all people. When narco-trafficking and corruption threaten democracy in Latin America, it's America's problem too. When religious schools in Pakistan teach hatred to young children, our children are threatened as well."

Are many of the world's largest threats transnational in nature?

"Whether it's global terrorism or pandemic disease, dramatic climate change or the proliferation of weapons of mass annihilation, the threats we face at the dawn of the 21st century can no longer be contained by borders and boundaries."

As president, how would you meet these threats?

"We must lead by building and strengthening the partnerships and alliances necessary to meet our common challenges and defeat our common threats."

"In today's globalized world, the security of the American people is inextricably linked to the security of all people."

What is the United States' responsibility with regard to climate change?

"As the world's largest producer of greenhouse gases, America has the greatest responsibility to lead here. We must enact a cap and trade system that will dramatically reduce our carbon emissions."

What stance should the United States take toward Russia?

"Russia is neither our enemy nor close ally right now — and we shouldn't shy away from pushing for more democracy, transparency and accountability in that country."

And Iran?

"Countries should not be able to build a weapons program under the auspices of developing peaceful nuclear power. That's why we should create an international fuel bank to back up commercial fuel supplies so there's an assured supply and no more excuses for nations like Iran to build their own enrichment plants."

How do you view international institutions?

"Today, it's become fashionable to disparage the United Nations, the World Bank and other international organizations. In fact, reform of these bodies is urgently needed if they are to keep pace with the fast-moving threats we face."

"When religious schools in Pakistan teach hatred to young children, our children are threatened as well."

And how can reform be achieved?

"Real reform will come because we convince others that they too have a stake in change — that such reforms will make their world, and not just ours, more secure."

Should the spread of freedom be the sole objective of U.S. foreign policy?

"We have heard much over the last seven years about how America's larger purpose in the world is to promote the spread of freedom — that it is the yearning of all who live in the shadow of tyranny and despair. I agree."

And where do you differ?

"But this yearning is not satisfied by simply deposing a dictator and setting up a ballot box. The true desire of all mankind is not only to live free lives — but lives marked by dignity and opportunity, by security and simple justice."

What does this entail?

"Delivering on these universal aspirations requires basic sustenance like food, clean water, medicine and shelter. It also requires a society that is supported by the pillars of a sustainable democracy. It requires building the capacity of the world's weakest states — and providing them what they need to reduce poverty, build healthy and educated communities, develop markets and generate wealth."

"This president may occupy the White House, but for the last seven years the position of leader of the free world has remained open. And it’s time to fill that role once more."

What else?

"It requires states that have the capacity to fight terrorism, halt the proliferation of deadly weapons and build the health care infrastructure needed to prevent and treat such deadly diseases as HIV/AIDS and malaria."

Do you feel a sense of mission in your quest to become president?

"Now it's our moment to lead — our generation's time to tell another great American story. So someday we can tell our children that this was the time when we helped forge peace in the Middle East. That this was the time when we confronted climate change and secured the weapons that could destroy the human race. This was the time when we brought opportunity to those forgotten corners of the world."

And what else?

"And this was the time when we renewed the America that has led generations of weary travelers from all over the world to find opportunity, liberty and hope on our doorstep."