I’m not kidding when I say this is a test of focus. There are going to be good moments and lousy moments, and the fundamental question is: do I have the sense of drive and sense of purpose and sense of being able to endure the good and the bad. I’m absolutely confident that I’m going to be the nominee and be a better person for going through the process. Can you imagine what would have happened if I had won New Hampshire? They’d say I never was tested.
Life works in mysterious ways. I didn’t like losing in New Hampshire. During this period of instability when we had some nervous Nellies, trying to figure out whether they wanted to be in the foxhole with us, I’m watching real carefully. It’s an interesting experience of loyalty when times are bad. The nation had a chance to see if I could handle adversity.
I complain when I get overworked. I’m insistent that they [schedule breaks]. Now two hours are built in during each day for exercise… There are some moments when I’ve just been fortunate to have made it through the day without making a mistake or something.
You spend so much time on the road that it’s those things that one has taken for granted back home that matter a lot. It’s hard to describe because it sounds so silly. The routine with my animals I really enjoy. The last time I was home I was getting my hair cut, and the little wild cat Ernie leaped into my lap. Ernie was thrilled to see me, and that makes me feel great. Now, that’s not going to translate, and some columnist will take that and rip me apart for it.
Moments like going to my ranch. People ask, “What did you do?” Nothing. I walked around. I felt energized. It doesn’t take much. I tell you, I made up my mind to win. People may not think I’m tough, but I am. This is a process of steeling me to become your president. So that when you look at me you can tell your friends, “This is a good man, he’s ready for the job, he’s not going to make any bad decisions for my children.”
They are nervous. They want their son to do well, they love me, and when they read ugly articles it upsets them. I remind them I’m great, I’m doing fine. They’re worried about it hurting me, but it doesn’t hurt me. They’ve got to know that I am, one, going to win and, two, real comfortable. I feel they’ve done a good job of raising me.
(See main story “Back from the Brink”)
