Quotes from Jack Schlossberg

As a Democrat following the 2012 presidential election closely, I was happy to see that South Carolina voted overwhelmingly for Newt Gingrich, a candidate almost too easy for President Barack Obama to beat in the fall. I was not, however, surprised at the state's gaffe.

Kennedy believed in religious liberty and the separation of church and state. He did not believe in the right of elected officials to impose their religious views on others. He was the first Catholic ever elected president, and he spent much of the 1960 campaign defending his religion and assuring voters he would not take orders from the Vatican.

Voters in 1960 elected the first Catholic president. In 2012, I voted to reelect the first African American president. Each was a vote for a man of principle and character, for a man who had proved himself capable and courageous and who would lead our country with a combination of dignity, compassion and toughness along a path of progress.

Racism plagued America throughout the '60s, into the '70s, through the '80s; it continued in the '90s and in the first decade of the new millennium; and it persists today.

Voting is great, but it's not an accomplishment. It's a responsibility.

The civil rights movement didn't end on August 6, 1965. It continued because the work of creating a truly equal country never ends.

Part of growing up is realizing the frustrating, heartbreaking truth that intense and sustained long-term effort is needed to effect change.

On healthcare, climate change, nuclear disarmament, gun control and countless other issues, President Obama consistently made difficult choices and put the national interest over his own political interest to do what was right. All the while, he resisted the politics of cynicism in a system that too often encourages it.

I am not a fan of Mitt Romney, but I admit that he is, politically speaking, a good candidate for president. He has no personal baggage. He's as handsome as they come. And he's a talented orator.

All too often our leaders shrink from their responsibilities and choose to do what is politically expedient.

Joe Lieberman is my least favorite politician of all time, excluding President Franklin Pierce (he just annoys me - not sure why).

Democrats, more often than not, do not play the game of politics correctly.

Studying my grandfather's life and legacy has shown me what it takes to be a good public servant. Curiosity. Compassion for others. Humility. Determination to stand tall for your beliefs in the face of opposition. No one believed these things more than my grandfather.

Our democracy works because the parties air and debate their differences in public.

It's true what they say: Nothing tastes quite like the East River.

We must not become perpetually distracted from the great challenges facing our country and the world.

In 2008, I was inspired by President Obama's vision for America and all the promises that he laid out for our country.

In 'Profiles in Courage,' my grandfather, John F. Kennedy, praised leadership that put country above party, elevated principles over petty politics and promoted progress before personal interests.

I love America for the freedom and equality it promises all of its citizens, the battles it has fought and won in defense of those values, and the peace and prosperity we enjoy.

I don't know what I'm going to do with my law degree. Hopefully I'll get the law degree - that's the first step.

I'm inspired by my family's legacy of public service. It's something that I'm very proud of.

I'm most interested in public service. I think that's something that I got from being part of my family, which is such an honor.

Democrats should never publicly criticize Obama.

The Confederacy was formed for the purpose of seceding from the Union because those states could not part with their rights to own slaves.