Vijay Quotes

Any politician in a democracy has to be mindful of public opinion.

I was one of the hardest-hitting conservatives on George W. Bush. Republicans didn't like me on George W. Bush. Republicans still don't like me on many things. If any Republican thinks I've been hard on Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich or any of these guys, wait until Mitt Romney gets into office. I'll hold his feet to the fire just as much.

Elections have consequences.

In the heat of our campaigns, we have all become accustomed to a little anger and exaggeration. Yet, on the whole, our political process has served us well.

I'm not going to reduce the choices of Canadians at the ballot box by backroom deals or secret arrangements. I think that's a cause for cynicism more than anything else.

Now, mark it. This may be strong language, but heed it. The people mean it, and, my friends of the Eastern Democracy, we bid farewell when you do that thing.

There are no factions in the Liberal Party.

Politics in a democracy is transactional: Politicians seek votes by promising to do things for voters, who seek promises in exchange for their votes.

I will not speak with disrespect of the Republican Party. I always speak with respect of the past.

... elections are no longer representative.

Adversity in politics does not encourage cohesiveness, it seems. Deprived of the fruits of power, a national political party seems to break down into regional or other factions. Unity can only be regained by victory—yet victory is forestalled by disunity.

You cannot influence a political party to do right if you stick to it when it does wrong.

Truth no more relies for success on ballot boxes than it does on cartridge boxes.

In our form of democracy the expression of the popular will can be effected only through the instrumentality of political parties.

No free country has ever been without parties.

What is good for democracy is good for America.

I cannot run the political machine. I have enough on my hands without that. It is the people's business.

The only accountability-free zone in America: Washington DC.

If you will refrain from telling any lies about the Republican Party, I'll promise not to tell the truth about the Democrats.

Democracy in the United States takes politicians who are reasonable in private and it churns them through a public process that is almost tailor-made to undermine their virtues. Perpetually kissing up to the voters destroys the leadership qualities the voters are looking for in the first place: tranquility of spirit, independence of mind and a sensitivity to the contours and complexity of reality.

We elect these people not to represent their parties but to represent us.

Parties perform, to some degree, at least three functions in a democratic government. They recruit candidates, mobilize voters, and assemble power within the formal government.

If you believe in democracy, than you can't trash it by being cynical about the people who do democracy: the politicians.

I'm not for seizing power, I'm for justice in the country and for democratic elections.

It is my hope that the establishment part of the Democratic Party will heed what the grass roots is saying.