Mark Shields Quotes

Politics is the business of managing perceptions.

Sometimes heads of state have to make statements for [local] public consumption.

You can't be a public affairs specialist if you're actually working on the public's affairs.

I have no more obligation to spin. When you’re in the White House, you spin.

I was asked to write a press briefing emphasizing the positive steps the administration had taken in the area and minimizing the negative ones. I was an Assistant to the President. I have done that for several Presidents. When you’re on the staff of the President of the United States you try and make things look as good as possible.

Many people in public life are not good campaigners.

Nowadays, you cannot be a very Effective political figure without Having a demonstrable sense of humor. People take to it.

As press secretary, I spent countless hours defending the administration from the podium in the White House briefing room.

My job is being 'Mrs. Ronald Reagan.'

Some politicians that I've seen have been brilliant with the public. They almost speak with the skill of an actor.

I was this non-threatening funny guy who contrasted the image of the Brezhnevs and the Reagans of the world.

Governing today means giving acceptable signs of credibility. It is like advertising and it is the same effect that is achieved—commitment to a scenario.

I don't care how great your ideas are or how well you can articulate them, people must like you before they will vote for you.

Everyone in politics turns to the press, if only to manipulate it or deflect it.

I did not see my job as Press Secretary as to help the press. My job was to help get Tony Brown and the Labour Party elected.

I'm not a politician; I don't have a well-organised PR machine to craft my every word.

There's no job that will humble you like the White House press secretary job.

[When a John McCain political campaign video that used her image] That wrinkly white-haired guy used me in his campaign ad, which means I'm running for President. So thanks for the endorsement white-haired dude, and I want America to know I'm like, totally ready to lead.

Ronald Reagan is the world's largest Muppet.

I find Donald Trump to be very kind and generous. I find him to have a great sense of humor.

Newt Gingrich wants to build a colony on the Moon. OK, you say, but why? Well, he wants to be the first American to get divorced on the Moon.

The wisest and the best of men, nay, the wisest and best of their actions, may be rendered ridiculous by a person whose first object in life is a joke.

Hillary Clinton doesn't have any natural talents. Hillary doesn't have any natural connection to people. Hillary doesn't have any charisma, magnetism. All of that has to be manufactured by the media.

The House has noticed the Prime Minister's remarkable transformation in the past few weeks, from Stalin to Mr. Bean.

Ronald Reagan has held the two most demeaning jobs in the country; President of the United States and radio broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs.