Les Aspin Quotes

Politicians livelihoods depend on what people think.

You accumulate political capital to spend it on noble causes for Canada. If you're afraid to spend your capital, you shouldn't be there.

If you think too much about being re-elected, it is very difficult to be worth re-electing.

When it comes to listening to my constituents or to the governor's staff, who are more interested in their pet projects and their government cars, I'll vote for my constituents every time.

Our government rests in public opinion. Whoever can change public opinion can change the government practically just so much.

There are not many people in politics who ever want to get close to the heat.

The longest-term thought many people have in D.C. is how can I be sure I don't do anything that so annoys either my base or my general electorate that I might not be able to get my job back? I don't think that's the right way to think about it.

But why should I run for office and lose what little influence I have?

The strength of the Democratic Party of Cook County is not something that just happened.

I am not concerned about getting reelected. I can make the unpopular but necessary decision. Your focus from day one is on your legacy rather than political considerations.

I have to earn re-election. That's the way I see it.

In government offices which are sensitive to the vehemence and passion of mass sentiment public men have no sure tenure. They are in effect perpetual office seekers, always on trial for their political lives, always required to court their restless constituents.

What is the primary purpose of a political leader? To build a majority. If voters care about parking lots, then talk about parking lots.

The essence of American politics consists of the manipulation of populism by elitism.

Politicians do what they hear from the American people.

Do we sufficiently appreciate how omnipotent is opinion in the matter of all government? Do we consider especially in how true a sense it is the creator, must be the upholder, and may be the destroyer of our united government?

Congressmen are the only group in America who every two years have to go out and beg for their jobs.

Is it not natural that a man who is a candidate for the favor of the people, and who is dependant on the suffrages of his fellow-citizens for the continuation of his public honors, should take care to inform himself of their dispositions and inclinations…? This dependant [creates] strong chords of sympathy between the Representative and the constituent.

Polls move money as much as money moves polls.

The President wants to avoid being a lame duck. He’s trying not to limp and quack at the same time.

We ought to change polls, not to follow polls.

declaring itself in ways more impressive to the tremulous politician than the most convincing argument.

In a democracy, as a matter of course, every effort is made to seize upon and create publick opinion, which is, substantially, securing power.

I grieve to see that the Government is governed by the hurrahs of the soldiers or the citizens. It does not lead opinion, but follows it.

Polling is merely an instrument for gauging public opinion. When a President or any other leader pays attention to poll results, he is, in effect, paying attention to the views of the people.