Kay Bailey Hutchison Quotes

Politics and war are remarkably similar situations.

A prime minister has to keep a certain balance when dealing with sensitive issues.

We have the means and the capacity to deal with our problems, if only we can find the political will.

Between an uncontrolled escalation and passivity, there is a demanding road of responsibility that we must follow.

The art of statesmanship is to foresee the inevitable and to expedite its occurrence.

We have generals working on worst-case scenarios; we need statesmen on best cases.

Mr. President, we need to be strong and firm, but that doesn't mean you have to commit political suicide.

Responsible men will not encourage the enemy to hold out in anticipation of a more generous settlement. Responsible men will recognize that we can have only one President at a time.

Towards the end of the Banquet came the news, the great world stirring news, that Neville [Chamberlain], on his own initiative, seeing war coming closer and closer, had telegraphed to Hitler that he wanted to see him, and asked him to name an immediate rendezvous…. Of course a way out will not be found. Neville by his imagination and practical good sense, has saved the world.

The important thing is the boldness of the President. He will lead opinion and not follow it. He does not want war but will not shrink from it.

Effective Presidents are those who can achieve a balance between purpose and prudence.

The problem with foreign policy constraints is that once they are accepted they are seldom questioned again. In the maelstrom of politics, as one limps from crisis to crisis, it is always comforting to have a set of apparently immutable parameters. They remove the need for much agonizing indecision.

In a climate where much of foreign policy is a direct function of domestic politics, focusing on what one doesn't want is an easy way out of difficult conundrums for many world leaders. Expressing what one does want requires more courage.

A president who aspires to be recognized as a global leader should not personally stake out a foreign-policy goal, commit himself eloquently to its attainment, and then yield the ground when confronted by firm opposition.

Ultimately, when you have to deal with a whole country, priorities change.

Like Lyndon Johnson, President Obama understands that timidity in a time of troubles is a prescription for failure.

It's so much easier to throw rocks than it is to govern.

Many hard comments have been made on my efforts in India from the side of the Congress party, yet I feel content in the deep conviction that the offer I traveled 22,000 miles to discuss with Indian leaders was a real contribution to a solution of our differences.

Churchill knew the importance of peace, and he also knew the price of it. Churchill finally got his voice, of course. He stressed strategy, but it was his voice that armed England at last with the old-fashioned moral concepts of honor and duty, justice and mercy.

I think George Mitchell is a consummate professional. He is the ideal selection to handle the job of special envoy if you choose to have a special envoy.

In the long term, Germany didn't need a finance minister who was absent during important negotiations in the European Council. But the chancellor strongly encouraged me to stay. And everything did work out for the best in the end.

I don't want to go down in history as a man who allowed blood to be shed.

The world cannot be governed without juggling.

General Petraeus is not a miracle worker. He can not be successful unless the president creates greater confidence within his own team about the decisions which the president has himself made.

Whether you agree with me or disagree with me; like me or loathe me, don't bind my hands when I am negotiating on behalf of the British nation.