President Bush campaigned on changing the tone in Washington. And he's made great strides in returning civility to political debate. People are at least starting to disagree - without being disagreeable. As Secretary of the Interior, I will work to change the tone in which we talk about conserving and protecting our environment. Changing the tone won't always make splashy headlines but it will get things done.
Community newspapers are the most direct and thorough media there is.
When I campaigned in Colorado, I always stopped at the local paper. Sometimes you'd take my picture. Sometimes you'd pour me a cup of coffee. And sometimes you'd tell me come back later because the press was running, and no one was available to interview me. Your papers are critically important in keeping lines of communication open to the ideas and voices of Americans most impacted by the federal government.