Evan Bayh Quotes

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

I've voted in every election - not always for the same political party and never with any degree of enthusiasm.

The good news is dollars don't vote, people do.

Politics is an instrument that can transform society.

Let's say there are 500 sons and daughters like you in each state. Then we could control the government.

By voting, we add our voice to the chorus that forms opinions and the basis for actions.

As in nature, politics abhors a vacuum. Without a strong voice for more moderate leadership, the Tea Party is filling that vacuum.

Just by making a decision to stay out of politics, you are making the decision to allow others to shape politics and exert power over you. And if you are alienated from the current political system, then just by staying out of it, if you do nothing to change it, you simply entrench it.

If I went into politics, it's because I grew up in a political atmosphere.

The world we live in has been and is being increasingly politicised so that our daily experience is more and more a matter of public policy.

The ballot is stronger than bullets.

Big corporations have money and power to make sure every rule breaks their way; people have voices and votes to push back.

The essence of American politics consists of the manipulation of populism by elitism.

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?

Voters do not decide issues. They decide who will decide issues.

Be not surprised that I am turned politician. The whole town is immersed in politics.

Governments are sails, the people is the wind, the state is the boat, and time is the sea.

What is politics but persuading the public to vote for this and support that and endure these for the promises of those.

The election was held today. Besides the two great party tickets, there is a new party which has polled most unexpectedly five or six thousand votes. They call themselves the American party, and are opposed to the extension of suffrage to foreigners; ... with this powerful demonstration of popular opinion in their favor, I should not be surprised if ere long they should swallow up the Whig party. This new movement has occasioned a great defection from both parties.

If they're not voting, we're not touching their heads and hearts.

When nobody, or only some small fraction, feels the degree of interest in the general affairs of the State necessary to the formation of a public opinion, the electors will seldom make any use of the right of suffrage but to serve their private interest, or the interest of their locality, or of some one with whom they are connected as adherents or dependents.

If Voting Changed Anything, They’d Abolish It

Don’t you realize there’s an election this year. This is a social revolution that we’re considering here. And if we decide it in an election year, the two candidates will chose up sides on it, neither one will read the decision of course, and it will be thrown into the political scramble. Is this the way you want this important question to be decided?

Americans take part in political activities because they believe that by doing so they can influence government decisions

We are a democracy and I will go with the 51 percent wherever that leads us.