Lewis H. Lapham Quotes

American presidents always avoid shaking hands with brutal dictators, except when it's advantageous to do so.

Maybe I'm not going to be able to do a deal with Russia, but at least I will have tried. And if I don't, does anybody really think that Hillary Clinton would be tougher on Russia than Donald Trump?

I think I'd have a good relationship with Putin. Who knows? He's been a leader far more than Barack Obama has been a leader.

From Mr. [Donald] Trump's perspective, right, he simply heard [Vladimir] Putin compliment him. He then responded by complimenting him. He never thought that he might be being played.

In most cases, cables are marked secret not because the U.S. requires it but because those speaking to us - the foreign leaders across the table - do. They are not keeping secrets from us, but from two other groups: their enemies and their subjects.

I would like to be the first ambassador to the United States from the United States.

The president of the United States and his secretary of state were made honorary Hebrews.

The President of the United States was untutored in foreign policy. He didn’t know Slovenia from Slovakia.

World politics is not a kindergarten.

Whoso desireth to govern well and securely, it behoveth him to have a vigilant eye to the proceedings of great princes, and to consider seriously of their designs.

I believe that Trump is a danger. I believe that he wants to tighten and build up his relationship to Russia for whatever reasons.

Diplomacy and coalition-building are hard work and not easy for any president.

Putin is very - not the smartest guy in the world.

Prime Minister Abe's leadership diplomacy was truly amazing. I don't think I can match that.

When PM goes for a foreign visit, he represents a country and not the party.

Trump very much wants to be liked by Putin and I think sincerely admires him. Putin doesn't know how to deal with somebody who positions himself like that.

I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Putin. And I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Russia.

As president of the United States, I don't bluff.

I'm not going to say to Putin that he'll get more flexibility after the election. After the election he'll get more backbone.

I meet with ambassadors from all countries in my role as a member of Congress, and you always have better relationships with those you actually personally get along with. That matters. So if there is chemistry between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, maybe that can bode for something.

We have to get tough with the Russians. They don't know how to behave. They are like bulls in a china shop. They are only 25 years old. We are over 100 and the British are centuries older. We have got to teach them how to behave.

Diplomacy is unfashionable in the world of knee-jerk reaction and the dogmatic sound bite on television.

I do respect Putin. I respect a lot of people. But that doesn't mean I'm going get along with him.

As secretary of state Hillary Clinton was rolled by everybody.

Every damn President since I can remember has been so in love with foreign policy that they're just like a schoolboy with a new girl.