Joaquin Castro Quotes

We Republicans came to Washington to change it, and Washington changed us.

Politics was put in front of me. I do politics because it's the vehicle for change and because I happen to be good at it... I had this sort of calm fearlessness, that some would call foolishness.

I think Clinton, after getting into office and into Washington, was shocked at being bludgeoned. So he spent time trying to be all things to all people - one way guaranteed not to be successful or respected in a lion's den. You can't just play around with all those big cats - you've got to take somebody on.

There is no sea more dangerous than the ocean of practical politics none in which there is more need of good pilotage and of a single, unfaltering purpose when the waves rise high.

Gabby Giffords was a mentor of mine in the state Legislature and also in Congress.

In Washington, there's always an effort to label people.

I know how to take good ideas and turn them into sensible law at great odds.

All the evils of France have been produced less by the perversity of the wicked and the violence of fools than by the hesitation of the weak, the compromises of conscience, and the tardiness of patriotism. Let every deputy, every Frenchman show what he feels, what he thinks, and we are saved!

We have the means and the capacity to deal with our problems, if only we can find the political will.

I admire people who come to politics because it takes a lot of courage to be in politics in India.

I want to thank the people of Texas for asking me to represent them in Washington.

Washington - having spent a lot of time there, I grew up there and have spent a lot of time there recently - is largely defined by detailed analytical views and policy choices that are not very good. You know, each policy choice has a winner and a loser, right? Somebody's ox is getting gored.

Everything's viewed with a political lens in Washington, and that's just the nature of the beast, and it is what it is.

If you spend enough time in or around Washington, you'll meet amazing people who work for the government.

Everyone in Congress represents Washington.

I came to Congress hoping to change the world; I now hope to be able to leave with my dignity.

You've got to have a theme if you're going to get Congress to do something difficult.

We cannot ask our soldiers to be courageous if our politicians are not.

It does take courage to be in public life.

The Senate is a place filled with goodwill and good intentions, and if the road to hell is paved with them, it's a pretty good detour.

Like an armed warrior, like a plumed knight, James G. Blaine marched down the halls of the American Congress and threw his shining lance full against the brazen forehead of every traitor to this country and every maligner of his fair reputation.

Majorities without discipline are not majorities.

When I first went to Washington [the senate], I thought, what is l'il ole me doing with these ninety-nine great people? Now I ask myself, what am I doing with those ninety-nine jerks?

In Washington the word “compromise” has come to mean “surrender.” You just can’t do it

Arguments are made in Washington with very few facts behind them.