George Buckle Quotes

Politicians can forgive almost anything in the way of abuse; they can forgive subversion, revolution, being contradicted, exposed as liars, even ridiculed, but they can never forgive being ignored.

Politicians livelihoods depend on what people think.

In politics if the people give you popularity, the other politicians observe and give you power.

As long as public opinion influences politicians, those who can influence public opinion will have great political weight

A politician's goal is always to manipulate public debate. I think there are some politicians with higher goals. But all of them get corrupted by power.

Very few people go into politics to be reviled.

Real politics are the possession and distribution of power.

The career of politics grants a feeling of power. The knowledge of influencing men, of participating in power over them, and above all, the feeling of holding in one's hands a nerve fiber of historically important events can elevate the professional politician above everyday routine even when he is placed in formally modest positions.

Internet referendums will not, in the beginning, have any legally binding effect, but they will be politically binding.

Do we sufficiently appreciate how omnipotent is opinion in the matter of all government? Do we consider especially in how true a sense it is the creator, must be the upholder, and may be the destroyer of our united government?

Polls move money as much as money moves polls.

Only the most politically secure congressmen can afford to offend constituents.

Towering over Presidents and State Governors, over Congress and State Legislatures, over conventions and the vast machinery of party, public opinion stands out in the United States, as the great source of Power.

The nation is a power hard to rouse, but when roused harder still and more hopeless to resist.

If the American President had control of the media, his job would be much easier.

For the politician the goal is always to be in the government.... Everything is about the struggle for office. The purpose of power, the problem to solve, is forgotten.

The more publicized the presidency the less powerful the office.

Our government rests in public opinion. Whoever can change public opinion can change the government practically just so much.

Anyone who gets to the top in politics is a control freak.

Critics intend on changing the balance of public opinion and of political power.

There is something wrong with the way in which we make our decisions. The Government listen too much to the pollsters and the party managers. The trouble is that they are not even very good at politics, and they are entering too much into policy decisions. As a result, there is too much short-termism, too much reacting to events, and not enough shaping of events. We give the impression of being in office but not in power. Far too many important decisions are made for 36 hours' publicity.

No man ever exercised less influence in the Senate or the House of Representatives than he, but no man ever exercised more power as a political leader.

In Russia, as well as everywhere else, the true and lasting power is that of public opinion, and of those who know how to influence it.

The leaders of a party, or those who are so called, have but little sway over their followers, particularly when not in Government, and when they have it not in their power to threaten them with any very serious consequences

The unexpressed aim of every politician is to influence events that history books will record his name - and spell it right.