"There is a tendency in the media to kick ourselves, cringe and withdraw, when we are criticized. But I hope my colleagues stand strong in this case: it is important for the public to know that Palin raised taxes as governor, supported the Bridge to Nowhere before she opposed it, pursued pork-barrel projects as mayor, tried to ban books at the local library and thinks the war in Iraq is 'a task from God.' The attempts by the McCain campaign to bully us into not reporting such things are not only stupidly aggressive, but unprofessional in the extreme."
Joe Klein, on the McCain campaign's "attempted bullying" to prevent the press reporting on Sarah Palin.

"The window is now, while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist."
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in October 2006, explaining why she supported the efforts of Ted Stevens to make the federal government pay for the "bridge to nowhere". She proudly proclaims in her stump speeches that she opposed the bridge.

"I think about whether that person who I select would be most prepared to take my place. And that would be the key criteria [sic]."
John McCain, when asked how he would pick a VP candidate. That was in April. In August, McCain picked a candidate who makes Geraldine Ferraro look like John Quincy Adams.

"The Republicans can't seem to get a break when it comes to August and when it comes to the weather."
Karl Rove, on the impending arrival of Hurricane Gustav on the Gulf Coast coincidental with the GOP convention. Wrong Karl, it's the Gulf Coast that can't catch a break, not Republicans. The departure of you and your party from government is one of the breaks they hope to catch.

"It takes great hubris to resurrect an issue the court has already definitely struck down. This is like a zombie movie ... their proposal to toss the Endangered Species Act over the cliff died, but now has somehow come back to life."
Patti Goldman, an attorney for Earthjustice, on the decision of the Interior Department to stop requiring federal agencies to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service on the effect on endangered species, and they are prohibited from considering global warming.

"Next up, Baghdad!"
John McCain in January 2002, cheering for more wars while speaking on an aircraft carrier, and showing his judgment by being one of the first salesmen for invading Iraq.

"Since 9/11 our principal export to the world has been our fear."
former deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage, explaining in one statement why Bush's rhetoric of "freedom" and "liberty" has fallen on disbelieving ears overseas.

"There was a dozen ideas proffered about how to trigger a war. The one that interested me the most was why don't we build --- we in our shipyard --- build four or five boats that look like Iranian PT boats. Put Navy seals on them with a lot of arms. And next time one of our boats goes to the Straits of Hormuz, start a shoot-up. Might cost some lives.
And it was rejected because you can't have Americans killing Americans. That's the kind of --- that's the level of stuff we're talking about. Provocation. But that was rejected."
Seymour Hersh, answering a question about a meeting in Cheney's office to find a way to provoke a war with Iran. They rejected the idea, but note that it was rejected for reasons other than faking a provocation would be wrong. That's how anxious these guys are to start a war with Iran. Remember that if some "incident" does happen.

"The Habbush episode is the most spectacular case study in [Ron] Suskind's book [alleging the CIA forged a letter used as evidence for invading Iraq], but it's by no means the most depressing. Consider: In September 2002, Iraqi foreign minister (and paid French spy) Naji Sibri told a Lebanese intermediary that Saddam really, truly, honestly didn't have any WMD. Somehow, in transcribing the findings, the CIA's New York station wrote up a conclusion that was directly opposite to what Sibri had said."
Louis Bayard, reviewing Suskind's book, mentioning another new example of Bush faking the case for war, and maybe revealing why the French never believed Bush. Who knew the case for war could fall apart any more? Hey Pelosi, NOW do you have enough to start impeachment hearings?

"I feel like God wants me to run for President. I can't explain it, but I sense my country is going to need me. Something is going to happen... I know it won't be easy on me or my family, but God wants me to do it."
George W. Bush, acting president of the US , and not Barack Obama, despite how conservatives want to portray him as thinking he's a messiah.

"This is not America."
Maj. Gail Crawford, spokeswoman for the Office of Military Commissions, responding to a reporter's observation that reporters in real trials are allowed to see witnesses and evidence, unlike in Salim Hamdan's trial.

"To some people, thats even worse than being a Democrat."
Anonymous Republican to NPR's Ari Shapiro, regarding the accusation (now confirmed by the DOJ IG) that Monica Goodling dismissed career DOJ employee Leslie Hagen because she suspected Hagen was lesbian.

"The walls between old allies on either side of the Atlantic cannot stand. The walls between the countries with the most and those with the least cannot stand. The walls between races and tribes; natives and immigrants; Christian and Muslim and Jew cannot stand. These now are the walls we must tear down."
Sen. Barack Obama, during his speech in Berlin, starting to repair relations between America and the rest of the world. Won't it be great to have a president who doesn't cause you to ask, "How will he embarrass us this time?"

"I've been there too many times, I've met too many times with them, and I know what they want. They want it based on conditions, and of course they'd like to have us out, that's what happens when you win wars, you leave. We may have a residual presence there as even Sen. Obama has admitted, but the fact is, that it should be based, that the agreement between Prime Minister Maliki, the Iraqi government, and the United States is it will be based on conditions."
Sen. John McCain, in an interview after the Iraqi government was specific about wanting a timetable, once again ignoring what they're saying or else ignorant of what they're saying.