Samuel Adams Quotes

The public character of every public servant is legitimate subject of discussion, and his fitness or unfitness for office may be fairly canvassed by any person.

Whether it's Jack Kennedy or Bill Clinton or others, the personal lives do come into play, and people do judge you for that.

Public men are bees working in a glass hive.

No matter what name we give it or how we judge it, a candidate's character is central to political reporting because it is central to a citizen's decision in voting.

Every thing secret degenerates, even the administration of justice; nothing is safe that does not show how it can bear discussion and publicity.

Administrators are there because of the fans and the cricketers to run this game, so credibility of a game, or a board, or even a government for that matter, is important irrespective of what you do. If you are in public life, it is important.

There are those who think that the private lives of candidates are none of our business. But when those candidates ask us for our attention as they explain their plans for how they will represent us, no one should be surprised at our interest in how they represent themselves.

My integrity had been called into question; I was being called a liar, and I am not a liar. And I just think it is time that we stop viewing public figures as fair game.

For better or worse, when you're running for mayor, there's a little bit of a spotlight on you.

We look to our leaders once we elect them to either lead us in the right direction or at least not crush us.

I don't think voters give a hoot about the character of their political advisors, except to the extent that character reflects on the candidates.

I do not believe the president’s sex life is any of our business. After 30 years of political reporting I have been unable to establish a link between marital fidelity and high performance in public office. It really doesn’t matter who they screw in private as long as they don’t screw the public.

All government is a trust. Every branch of government is a trust, and immemorially acknowledged to be so.

Public officers are the trustees of the people.

Public confidence should govern political appointments.

A politician can never escape his past; he can transcend his past.

I am not on trial here, Mr. Chairman. This committee is on trial here before the American people. Let us get that straight.

I have been in public office and have been criticized. I do not object to it. A public official should be willing to be criticized. An agent of the people of this country should be called to account.

There's this intense media spotlight; there's a need to be transparent, and, 'Oh, by the way, I'm also trying to fight a war at the same time.' It's a challenge, but it goes with the job.

If you're a public official, your life is an open book.

The public has no interest in whether the President acts boldly or timidly in his personal affairs.

One of the reasons the American public holds unelected government officials in such low esteem is that they are never held accountable for their failures.

Our political leaders have great responsibilities, but as with many situations in life, people often rise or fall to meet your expectations. Our responsibility as citizens is to expect our leaders to lead and to give them enough support so that they may do so.

The public wants elected officials who have character. The public wants elected officials who are willing to stand up and say things, even if they don't agree with them.

If you lead a public life, people are much more on to you than you think.