Michele Bachmann Quotes

My ministry's always been one of social activism. I think a responsible minister must be at some levels involved in the social order.

I was looking for a new challenge and got an interest in trying to make a difference for families. You become more aware of how important families are. They are the key institution in our culture. The reason I got into politics was to try to make a difference for that key institution, whether it was tax policy, education policy, or whatever.

As an elected official, an advocate for children, and an educator, Glenn Poshard has always fought for what's right.

Since 9/11, there has been a huge leap in people wanting to get personally involved in public service and international affairs.

My mother at the age of 65 decided she was going to run for mayor. She had never run for public office, and she decided she wanted to try and do some things for the community.

I'm not going to lie to you: being Speaker of the State Assembly is the best job I've ever had in my entire career. But you know, I got into politics 'cause I wanted to make a difference, and I was always raised that one person could make a difference.

Going back to high school and college, I believed I would be involved in public service. I literally could not conceptualize anything else.

I've spent the better part of my career in politics and public policy working on and fighting for education reforms.

I think I can change things for the better in this country. I'm doing it now as well, in many areas, mostly in education, higher education and technological entrepreneurship. But I think I could do a lot more from a presidential position.

As a state legislator, I had worked with Republicans and Democrats to pass a number of bills, including some related to higher education and juvenile justice; I'd created what would become San Antonio's largest book drive and literacy campaign.

Politics was my third act. But I could have a fourth. I don't know what that will be yet, but there will be one.

The only way communities will have great schools is if the people demand it.

When you travel and when you campaign, people tell you their problems. You see the problems and you become aware of them and you talk about them every day. And so you feel the responsibility for doing something about them.

I was in civil society long before I was ever in politics or my husband was ever even elected president.

I did grow up in a household where the narrative was about public service and how are you going to effect change and help people. I'm so glad I grew up around that narrative, but I never had the calling to go out and shake hands and try to get elected.

I take a very different approach to public service. I'm a person that always takes it out in the streets and in the courts... the tool box that is attached to me is very diverse.

Elective office is one of many ways to serve the community and the country. It's one that I would consider at some point.

I have been blessed, working both at the local level on a community school board, the state assembly, four years in the state senate, and now almost 12 years in the House of Representatives.

Taking a toddler to school is one of the most satisfying moments in my many years in public life. There is no better joy than laying the foundations of a strong future for these little children.... Friends, let us all become partners in this quest for ensuring education for all!

We are going to be working very hard on the inner cities having to do with education, having to do with crime. We're going to try and fix as quickly as possible.

Being politically active is "more about doing things, not just standing for some platform or being involved in some political party."

"What greater gift can we offer the republic than to teach and instruct our youth?"

There are all kinds of different forms of public service, but there's no form of public service that can make more difference for more people than partisan political activity.

I'm not a politician by profession. I am a citizen who decided I had to be personally involved in order to stand up for my own values and beliefs. My candidacy is based on my record, and for that matter, my entire life.

Let's face it: The Jewish community is the most active political community in American society.