Garry Wills Quotes

That's not to say Eddie's never done anything malicious. But he never grabbed power for power's sake. His position was gained only because he has that energy, and that's naturally where he ended up.

The two pillars of winning the presidency are being a strong leader and being someone who understands us and our problems.

I think a lot of people start out full of idealism and fresh ideas. And then a lot of times, being re-elected becomes more important than staying true to your principles.

I could never go into politics, because I'm far too impatient and I'd want to be a dictator, albeit a benevolent one... I would hope.

Politics and the fate of mankind are shaped by men without ideals and without greatness. Men who have greatness within them don’t go far in politics.

Hillary Clinton has her own issues with just her own arrogance as a leader; that has been well known for a long time.

Nixon had this remarkably effective, deeply intense will to power. Reagan and I have a will to ideas.

One does not have to agree with his views to be intrigued by the possibilities opened up by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emergence as communicator/harangue-master in chief.

Politics is ultimately not that complicated a profession; it's where the mediocre distinguish themselves.

It’s very simple: If you try to win elections by talking to the elites of this country, you’re going to get your ass kicked — there are not enough Beyonces, Oprahs or Hollywood elites to elect anyone. Trump is not the disease. He is the symptom. The disease is political, cultural, and economic elites who keep telling the public what they should think, feel and believe.

When a guy gets elected to the Senate or the governor's mansion, he wakes up the next morning and says to himself, 'You're presidential material,'

Donald Trump's connection is personal. It's rooted in personal desire, personal loyalty for him to succeed. Barack Obama doesn't have that. Never did. But don't try to tell Obama that. Obama believes that he has the exact kind of connection with voters that Trump has.

There never was yet a people who must not have somebody or something to represent the dignity of the state, the majesty of the people, call it what you will - a doge, an avoyer, an archon, a president, a consul, a syndic; this becomes at once an object of ambition and dispute, and, in time, of division, faction, sedition, and rebellion.

I think it's inarguable that Vladimir Putin has been a stronger leader in his country than Barack Obama has been in this country.

In elective politics, it's up or out. You go up the ladder, or you get out of the game.

[People] know what [Donald] Trump wants. They are fascinated with the idea, "Can Trump really get this?" Because Trump, there's nothing professional about him.

I think the policy makers like the idea of being the boss. I mean people who like to boss other people around like to go into politics so they can become the boss.

I want to be Prime Minister, but I will stand for Mayor of London first.

Senators and presidents have climbed so high with pain enough, not because they think the place specially agreeable, but as an apology for real worth, and to vindicate their manhood in our eyes. This conspicuous chair is their compensation to themselves for being of a poor, cold, hard nature.

Donald Trump is communicating with people in America who've felt like they have not been listened to.

I really - as I said, I wanted to be President of the United States. It didn't turn out that way.

To 'know your place' is a good idea in politics. That is not to say 'stay in your place' or 'hang on to your place', because ambition or boredom may dictate upward or downward mobility, but a sense of place - a feel for one's own position in the control room-is useful in gauging what you should try to do.

Many people wants to be the president...they have ambition. Just ambition is not enough.

What is about Palin that drives the elite, especially elite women, crazy? Great looks? That Middle-America accent? The 5 kids and he-man husband? The lack of a powerful father or spouse who could jump-start her 'feminist' career with money, contacts, and influence? That Idaho BA? The wink? The charisma and, indeed, sensuality so lacking in her angry critics?

I truly believe that I can be president of the US if I really want to.