Paul Ryan Quotes

It felt, like, so far from - or far enough from the reality of things that we can enjoy it purely as entertainment. And now it feels a little bit too in alignment, honestly, but yeah - so we'll see how season five [House of Cards] goes over there.

I love political dramas. I love good story-telling.

I have talked to more people who are in politics who have said to me, "[House of Cards] is closer than you can imagine. It's the most accurate description of how politics actually works that we've ever seen." I mean, West Wing - beautiful, wonderful idea of how democracy should work. But I've had more people in politics say they think House of Cards is closer. I - don't know whether to take that as a compliment or a sad state of affairs.

Created by writer Beau Willimon, who's worked on several political campaigns, 'House of Cards' cannily exploits the current widespread cynicism for our politics, catering to a public scorn that's warranted and also glib in the sort of cheap pox-on-both-houses way that means not having to pay attention.

Like they said about The West Wing, you can't do a show about Washington until you can.

I had a good time doing ["The Congressman"], and I hope that Treat [Williams] and I plan to go flying in his [private] jet!

Whether it's 'Veep' or 'Homeland' or 'The West Wing' - which is a more idealised version of democracy - people are fascinated by politics.

Politics will sooner or later make fools of everybody.

And so I am launched again upon the faithless wave of politics.

Lee Atwater [Republican National Committee Chairman] saw politics as a cutthroat game and didn't mind holding the blade.

Politics is an ugly and thankless role.

I have no doubt that the Congress is active in manipulative politics.

Who needs shows like 'House of Cards' or 'Scandal' when you can simply turn on the news?

Politics is ugly. Never doubt what small men will do for great power.

When the wind is right, a faint odor of kerosene is exhaled from Senator McCarthy.

There's not a self-regulating group of nice fair-playing people in politics. There are a lot of dodgy people in politics.

I've not seen in my lifetime any politician who is a heroic figure. The manipulation that all politicians use on one level or another is so transparent.

Sometimes in politics, you think you've seen it all. Turns out I was wrong.

I think that what most surprises anybody who goes into politics from even a modestly cerebral background is the vulgarity of much of the cut and thrust of politics.

There is this concept of politics as a dirty game.

When you start attacking cronyism and people's political interests, it gets nasty.

Anything's possible in politics.

Over the years, our political system has degenerated to the extent that it is difficult for anyone to make any headway yet keep his hands clean.

You realize that for all the shenanigans that go on in the big circus of politics, everybody wakes up and goes to work.

Jason McDermott's political career, however bogus, appears to have had an early and promising start.