Thomas Jefferson Quotes

Our people are slow to learn the wisdom of sending character instead of talent to Congress. Again and again they have sent a man of great acuteness, a fine scholar, a fine forensic orator, and some master of the brawls has crunched him up in his hands like a bit of paper.

What would the Senate do with me, an inexperienced legislator who lacks the faculty of self-deception, essential requisite for anyone wanting to guide others.

Politicians can't manage. All they can do is talk.

I share the anger, but, ultimately, to govern this country, it takes more than anger. It takes experience. It takes positions that reflect the best values of the American people.

I believe being a good senator requires two things. Number one, acumen. Number two, interest.

No high qualities of statesmanship are expected from a Congressman.

While not all politicians are statesmen, all statesmen are politicians.

Unfortunately we are politicians when we should be statesmen.

What does it mean to be a great politician? To shake the hand of murders? To make concessions? To create illusions?

If you can't be president - if you cannot stand up and represent Americans, you should not be president.

We just need leaders in Congress who are honest with the American people.

I have seen in the Halls of Congress more idealism, more humanness, more compassion, more profiles of courage than in any other institution that I have ever known.

A politician ought to be born a foundling and remain a bachelor.

President Obama has a strong record of doing what is best for America and Florida, and he built it by spending more time worrying about what his decisions would mean for the people than for his political fortunes.

Secretary Clinton is perfectly capable of defending her own service in office.

What people want out of their politicians is exactly the same thing that I want - somebody who is approachable, willing to work, and tells me the truth as they see it.

I have never tried to fiddle my role as leader of the city of Sheffield, as an MP or as a minister.

It is hard to say why politicians are called servants, unless it is because a good one is hard to find.

The purpose of a politician is to be a leader. A politician has to lead. Otherwise he's just a follower.

But I also hold the very strong view that republicans need to lead by example.

I am not in politics to make more money.

I have no desire to be president of the United States. Zero desire. I don't think that I would be electable. And there are far too many people that are far smarter than me to be president. I'd like to find one with some honor and integrity. I haven't seen them yet, but they'll show up.

Jimmy Carter is the most intelligent. Jimmy Carter is a good man.

There are, believe it or not, good politicians.

I believe that a politician needs to be with people.