Lyndon B. Johnson Quotes

I'm not clever enough to be in machinations and real politics.

You know, I started my career in politics in 1967. I'm not new to this. I did not just fall off the Christmas tree. I understand the world is complex. I know that there are people out there who want to hurt other people.

Here’s a little Washington clue. When they say, “With all due respect,” they’re about to insult you.

In politics things change, in politics timing is important, and in politics, how I move, I don't tell you.

There are two rules in politics. They say never ever be pictured with a drink in your hand, and never swear.

I have been a practitioner of tough politics for many decades. There is little that amazes me and even less that shocks me.

I think that people like Bloomberg, they're complete thugs. No question about it. But on the other hand, it must be said that they are politically savvy. They don't get into those positions of power - in the case of Bloomberg, both economic and political power - by being anybody's fool.

In politics you learn to always smile.

I know I'd be an absolutely horrendous politician.

There's something just so kind of smooth about politicians.

A politician is an animal which can sit on a fence and yet keep both ears to the ground.

The first requirement of a statesman is that he be dull.

Politics means competition, especially in senior positions. If you don't know that, you're not especially suited to politics.

Appearances are not truth. But every politician knows that his or her image, as well as his or her actions, can make the difference between failure and success.

What this White House really needs is a chief of staff who can read Machiavelli in the original Italian.

You can't be in politics unless you can walk in a room and know in a minute who's for you and who's against you.

The kind of thing I'm good at is knowing every politician in the state and remembering where he itches. And I know where to scratch him.

And I remember looking at Gray Davis and, you know, Gray is the consummate political operative.

Many senators have developed a canny sense of what will play best for the audience.

In the end, I think part of my problem was that I was a better legislator than I was a politician.

It was Roosevelt's genius to treat kings like commoners and commoners like kings. And both loved him for it.

You don’t become a statesman unless you are first a good politician.

Today being President is really no different than running for President. It’s about approval ratings and photo ops and damage control and deniability.

A good politicians knows his friends and a good politician knows his enemies.

I believe that [Bill] Clinton is the best tactical politician, certainly in my lifetime.