“People are surprised. Of course, some people are surprised I can even read”
— Former President George W. Bush, talking to the Dallas Morning News about his painting hobby
Verbatim
“If babies had guns they wouldn't be aborted.”
— Texas Rep. Steve Stockman's new campaign bumper sticker.
“Our critics say we should abandon our pro-life beliefs. But that would only demoralize our voters. It’s an odd strategy, I think: the cynical ploy followed by the thumping defeat.”
— Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), quoted by The Hill, on the GOP moderating its position on abortion.
“We’re in deep doo doo.”
— Former Vice President Dick Cheney to Republican leaders in Congress Tuesday on the ongoing crisis in North Korea, according to CNN.
“I would point out that if you're a believer in in the Bible, one would have to say the Great Flood is an example of climate change and that certainly wasn't because mankind had overdeveloped hydrocarbon energy.”
— Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) at a hearing Wednesday discussing the Keystone XL pipeline, according to Buzzfeed.
“She’s brilliant and she’s dedicated, she’s tough…She also happens to be, by far, the best looking attorney general...It’s true! C’mon.”
— President Barack Obama speaking about California Attorney General Kamala Harris at a DNC lunch fundraiser in Atherton, California, according to the Dallas Morning News' Todd Gillman.
“When I climbed the Capitol steps in January, I promised myself that I would return to the Senate with an open mind and greater respect for others. Same-sex couples should have the right to civil marriage. Our time on this Earth is limited, I know that better than most.”
— Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), announcing his support for same-sex marriage yesterday to the Chicago Tribune. Kirk suffered a stroke last year.
“No one has done more for gun ownership than Barack Obama...He has been the most successful salesman for people having the right to bear arms in modern history.”
— Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich to Newsmax.
“You may be as straight as an arrow, and you may have a friend that is as straight as an arrow. Say you had a great job with the government where you had this wonderful health plan. I mean, what would prohibit you from saying that you're gay, and y'all get married and still live as separate, but you get all the benefits? I just see so much abuse in this it's unreal.”
— Georgia GOP Chairwoman Sue Everhart to the Marietta Daily Journal.
“Congressman Young's remarks were offensive and beneath the dignity of the office he holds. I don't care why he said it—there's no excuse and it warrants an immediate apology.”
“Shame on us if we've forgotten.”
— President Barack Obama on the Newtown, CT tragedy at the White House on Thursday. Obama called for stricter gun control laws.
“[The] sociological information is new. We have five years of information to weigh against 2,000 years of history or more. On the other hand, there is an immediate legal injury or what could be a legal injury, and that's the voice of these children. There are some 40,000 children in California, according to the Red Brief, that live with same-sex parents, and they want their parents to have full recognition and full status. The voice of those children is important in this case don't you think?”
— Justice Anthony Kennedy from today's Supreme Court case on the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriage. Click here for the audio feed from the courtroom.
“The Jersey Shore this summer will be open and ready to go.”
— New Jersey Governor Chris Christie at a Manasquan Town Hall meeting yesterday. It has been five months since Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on America's east coast.