#Politics

"My politics of optimism and hope still casts its lot with the Democrats - in the optimistic hope that the dying embers of its status as the party of our better angels, one that took risks for social justice, can still be fanned into a flame. But I'm an old man, born in 1969."

"Men ought either to be well treated or crushed, because they can avenge themselves of lighter injuries, of more serious ones they cannot; therefore the injury that is to be done to a man ought to be of such a kind that one does not stand in fear of revenge."

"In politics we presume that everyone who knows how to get votes knows how to administer a city or a state. When we are ill... we do not ask for the handsomest physician, or the most eloquent one."

"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last."

"Under the United States Constitution, the federal government has no authority to hold states "accountable"for their education performance...In the free society envisioned by the founders, schools are held accountable to parents, not federal bureaucrats."

"What makes a good leader? I ask myself this every day, and then as I begin to list off characteristics I realize I’m describing myself. Am I the ideal leader? Let’s just say that if I were running for political office, I know who I’d vote for—twice."

"In politics, stupidity is not a handicap."

"When I'm out of politics I'm going to run a business, it'll be called rent-a-spine"

"I have long enjoyed the friendship and companionship of Republicans because I am by instinct a teacher, and I would like to teach them something."

"I'm not the smartest fellow in the world, but I can sure pick smart colleagues."

"All resistance is a rupture with what is. And every rupture begins, for those engaged in it, through a rupture with oneself."

"There exists a big circus tent, and the right entrance is named The Republicans, and the left entrance is called The Democrats. People argue over which is the correct path, not realizing everyone inside is a clown."

"Half of the American people have never read a newspaper. Half never voted for President. One hopes it is the same half."

"The war to preserve the privilege of mythmaking"

"I have two ears, so why can’t I listen to two things at once? A politician only has one mouth, yet doublespeaks all the time."

"The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities."

"When you use your energy and resources to punish people, you run out of energy and resources to protect people."

"My mother was Irish; she had this great sense of humor, and both my parents loved films. There was a very vibrant discourse about politics and everything that was going on in the world where I grew up. So I was genetically predisposed to go into the performing arts."

"We will restore science to its rightful place and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost."

"I think that humor has become a principle means of communication among Americans about politics."