MAN, HE'S GOOD:

Jeb Bush: What I've Learned: In a rare interview as he explores running for Senate, the former Florida governor discusses killing Osama bin Laden, his brother's biggest accomplishment, and what good came out of Obama's victory. (Cal Fussman , 12/22/08, Esquire)

Political journalism is a mirror of the culture -- which is more cynical than it used to be. But it's frustrating because, with all my imperfections, I tried my hardest to serve and do what was right and advance causes I believed in. Yet the lens is always pointed at an angle that asks: What are his personal motives? What's in it for Jeb? That kind of wears you out.

There are easy ways to not let things get beyond your ability to undo them.

In a world of unbelievable exacting science, you can't figure hurricanes out. They wobble. They wiggle. They waggle. They don't go where they're supposed to go. They strengthen when they're supposed to weaken, and they weaken when they're supposed to strengthen. Every one makes you say: My gosh, I didn't know they could do that. A hurricane teaches you to be humble before God. [...]

When my daughter went through a drug problem, apart from the incredible pain and sadness at seeing your daughter suffering, the learning experience was that there are certain things that you just can't control. For a guy like me, that was a painful thing to accept.

It's a lot more fun now that my kids are adults.

I thought my younger brother would be happy when he found out we named our Lab after him. But Marvin wasn't happy about it. He made one comment that let me know he didn't accept the honor as it was intended. I'll never understand.

My memory of 9/11 really is of September 10. I was with my brother, the president. We were in Jacksonville. He was there to promote accountability of schools. We had a town-hall meeting with teachers. Then we flew to Sarasota and had a great dinner with friends. It was a normal day.