Keir Starmer Quotes

Absolutely. I think that this is - politics is a tough business. I describe it as a full contact sport. You have to be prepared to get in there and mix it up.

Politics is a rough and tumble business. It's not for the faint-hearted. I've got bruises and cuts from being in the political arena. But by and large, I understand how to navigate the process.

I had the vocation for politics. What I didn't have was any aptitude for political combat. I took the attacks personally, which is a great mistake. It's never personal: It's just business. It was ever thus.

Politics has never been for the thin-skinned or the faint of heart, and if you enter the arena, you should expect to get roughed up.

Politicians who are not good counter-punchers usually become punching bags.

There is never just one way in politics.

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.

For Democrats, nothing is any less complex than a 'West Wing' episode.

There are no techniques in politics.

Obama considers himself above deal-making and back-slapping, political necessities he often delegates to Vice President Joe Biden and other lesser sorts.

I think one of the great problems we have in the Republican Party is that we don't encourage you to be nasty. We encourage you to be neat, obedient, loyal and faithful and all those Boy Scout words, which would be great around a campfire but are lousy in politics.

Despite an occasional nagging misgiving, I quickly found myself prepared to use the serrated edge of the political knife in the Johnson White House.

The reality is I have a job as a national party chair that, one, requires a thick skin. It requires me to be able to absorb the body blows so our candidates can stay above the fray.

There's one thing my dad taught me: don't talk about politics, because you'll never make anyone happy. Don't even go for it.

I think you have to have really thick skin to be in politics - which I just lack. I think I'm just too nice!

I'm not consumed with political machinations.

I do have friends that are Republicans, and we have very spirited conversations on a whole range of issues. I am often baffled by why they are Republicans, but I enjoy the dialogue and can move beyond politics to find common ground in my personal relationships.

In politics you learn to always smile.

It's interesting to play a politician who gets stuff done.

In politics it is necessary to take nothing tragically and everything seriously.

In politics, you also have to be cautiously optimistic.

Do you think it's possible to discuss politics without preaching?

Politics is a contact sport.

Politics is a blood sport.

I don't like to talk about politics. If you say you're a Democrat, that'll turn off Republicans, and that's half of your fan base.