Scott McClellan Quotes

We didn't come here to become Washington, we came here to change Washington.

There will be scandals. There will be scandals. And then maybe we can reform again.

You can’t change Washington from the inside. You can only change Washington from the outside.

We absolutely have to change the status quo in Washington.

I know how bad Albany is. I know it better than most. I understand why people are angry. I'm angry. The question is going to be, how do you change Albany, what is the plan for change, and then how do you actually get it done?

Together, we can create something new, something bold, and something to act as a check and balance to Washington's out-of-touch agenda.

In Washington, task forces work like Tylenol: they reduce the symptoms of scandal while leaving the substance untouched.

No matter what you do, be honest. That sticks out in Washington.

We will use new technology to hard-wire the kind of [transparency] reform and accountability into the culture of government so that it can’t be undone in the next administration.

In Washington's highly politicized world, the greatest risk is not that a program will perform poorly, but that a scandal will erupt. Scandals are front page news, while routine failure is ignored.

My whole deal is reforming, changing, shaking up Washington. It sure needs it.

America is smarter than the politicians. America is demanding a change and not more of the same cronyism, not more of the same deception, corruption, and business. Washington, D.C., needs to be shaken up.

People of all races need to come together to control our government and run a giant comb through it so we can see the filth that comes out.

Bringing accountability to Washington has been an important part of my time in office and an important part of my campaign.

Real change begins with ridding Washington of corruption, of which there's plenty going around.

You may not be able to change the world, but at least you can embarrass the guilty.

It's so much easier to throw rocks than it is to govern.

Ever since I came to Congress in 1992, there are those who have been trying to silence my voice. I've been told to 'sit down and shut up' over and over again. Well, I won't sit down and I won't shut up until the full and unvarnished truth is placed before the American people.

It always takes a scandal to bring about reform.

Anytime you're the first to speak out against something, there's going to be a backlash.

I'm a longtime believer in the old adage that sunlight is the best disinfectant, particularly in politics.

It's time for an American comeback... where leaders in Washington listen to 'we the people.'

The U.S. needs to do more than change presidents. It needs to change its political culture.

It's time to fundamentally change the way that we do business in Washington. To help build a new foundation for the 21st century, we need to reform our government so that it is more efficient, more transparent, and more creative. That will demand new thinking and a new sense of responsibility for every dollar that is spent.

If you are going to be progressive, then you have to make progress. And that sometimes depends on breaking a few legs.