So how to spruce things up, and add some substance to the natural geographic rivalries?

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If 80 percent of life is just showing up, then I think this trip delivers the other 20 percent in terms of substance, in terms of getting things done, pushing the agenda forward, and driving towards progress and outcomes that directly benefit us, the U.S. and the people of the U.S., but also the people in the countries in the Asia Pacific region.

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"Let us say upfront that Jason has never had a substance abuse or drinking problem, and this episode wasn't caused by either of those things, " the Russell family statement said.

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"When you look at the industries, and the companies that make up the industries, you're dealing with things in alternative, clean, renewable and sustainable energy that are of substance, that have markets that far exceed any other market in the world -- and these are actual operating companies, " he says.

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And there was resistance to the temptation in Washington to turn these things into political talking points, but allow them instead to be more organic and focused on the substance -- and not just on fiscal issues, as I said, but immigration reform, gun violence, energy independence, education -- the whole range of issues that are the President's priorities and they also happen to be the American people's priorities.

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