John George Nicolay Quotes

McCarthy had ten years in the House of Representatives, only two terms as a senator. What did he pass? Are there any bills or any piece of legislation that he's identified with? Not at all.

I'm honored to have served for 18 years as Arizona's 10th Senator - and for four terms in the House of Representatives before that.

I have been very happy in the House of Representatives.

It has been a tremendous privilege to serve the people of Utah during my time in the United States House of Representatives, but my time in the House should not be the sum total of my service.

Rock stars generally don't last in the Senate, starting with John Kennedy. Too much work, too slow, too little juice. Getting something accomplished takes a remarkable amount of tedious work. Rock stars who become senators either run for something else or retire on the job. They certainly don't make a mark.

I'm not sure I make old bones in parliament. It's an amazing experience to have had but I can't see myself being Mother of the House.

Joe Biden was first elected to the Senate in 1972 at age 30. Somewhere around 1992, he should have had to go out and get a real job.

John Quincy Adams ranks with Jimmy Carter on the roster of ex-presidential redemption. Instead of completing a biography of his father, he let himself be elected to the House, where he spent nine terms in Whiggish opposition to the Democrats, supporting a national bank and a protective tariff and internal improvements.

Bobby Kennedy is pathetic as a senator.

I will make a prophecy that may now sound peculiar. In fifty years Lincoln's name will be inscribed close to Washington's on this Republic's roll of honor.

The unexpressed aim of every politician is to influence events that history books will record his name - and spell it right.

Seldom has a politician left public office with more self-generated fanfare than Sen. William S. Cohen.

Washington was a swamp. It was not somewhere that they believed people would want to go, so the idea was that people got involved as a public service, not to make a career out of it.

I'm a blue-collar kid who went on to become a successful entrepreneur. I was the youngest CEO in the history of the New York Stock Exchange. Now I've served my country for six years in the House of Representatives.

No, no, no. Dick Cheney forbade me to waste time on his image. I would have liked to have done more.

I've often thought having a politician for a parent must be like having a constantly embarrassing uncle.

My father was in Congress when I was born. He was mayor my whole life from when I was in grade school - first grade - to when I went away to college.

When I came back to Washington to be The Times' chief congressional correspondent in 1991, I was looking for a book subject, and Ted Kennedy stood out for two reasons.

I think Newt Gingrich has a proven track record of changing Washington and getting results.

My work in the House of Representatives, at this time in my life, is completed. It is time to return home.

The first years in Parliament I did nothing - nothing to any purpose. My own distinction was my darling object.

…it was far better to be known as an ex-secretary than an ex-defeated candidate for governor.

[Summarizing his political career:] Just say I was sober and I meant to do every damn thing I did

I say this in the utmost affection ... he has passed from rising hope to elder statesman without any intervening period whatsoever.

Once you're in the House for a few terms, it's hard to leave.