Rick Mercer Quotes

Sometimes you hear that many politicians vote for a bill in various forms before they vote against it, or vice versa. The conflict, negotiation, and eventual compromise involved in this process form the essence of the democratic process.

Politics is the art of the possible.

Politics is the art of making wha appearts to be impossible possible.

Politics is about the art of the possible.

Half of this business is politics. As real estate developers, it's our job to go in there and get beat up.

In no relationship at the top of any walk of life is it always easy, least of all in politics which matters so much and which is conducted in such a piercing spotlight.

I've been dealing with politicians all my life. All my life. And I've always gotten them to do what I need them to do.

Governing is hard. If you’re in the majority, you’ve got to do the hard work of governing

Democracy is the fig leaf of elitism.

The dominant color of politics is gray; difficult choices and compromise are required at almost every step of the journey toward a major new program.

The parliamentary regime is a regime of parties

The day-to-day making of policy is arguing all the time.

Democratic politics involves both principals and power. To argue only for principles is narcissistically self indulgent.

Do you know what it takes to get a good piece of legislation passed ... one that everyone agrees on? The egos. The turf battles.... It's incredible.

In a land where so many have a right to air their opinions and where so many interest are bound to collide and have to be reconciled, unanimity can hardly be expected. We were agreed on the evils but differed on the remedies, and amidst this contention of parties, the very zeal and energy of the best citizens became damaging to the public interest.

The two parties should be turning to each other rather than on each other.

Politics is war without the bloodshed.

I ended up in Parliament and soon discovered that emotion really doesn't have any place in politics. It's a much more intricate and complicated game, and I just didn't know how to play it.

Inevitably the party trying to resolve a matter had to contend with the party most willing to exploit it.

Fair play doesn't pertain in bargaining. What matters there is leverage.

Politics and war are remarkably similar situations.

When you have a Senate that is 50 Democrats and 49 Republicans and one independent, it's quite obvious that the only way we are going to get something done is if we work together.

With the people, for the people, by the people. I crack up when I hear it; I say, with the handful, for the handful, by the handful, cause that's what really happens.

Negotiation means getting the best of your opponent.

I am not made for politics because I am incapable of wanting or accepting the death of the adversary.