Antonio Villaraigosa Quotes

I'll be the mayor of all the people.

I pledge tonight to be Mayor for all of the people of this city - for one Chicago.

Throughout my career in public service, the residents I have had the privilege of fighting for have embraced who I am, especially my Palestinian roots. This is what I want to bring to the United States Congress: an unapologetic display of the fabric of the people in this country.

I will be president for all South Koreans.

There is no doubt a president has to govern for everyone.

I am aware that one should always make room for renewal in politics. A democracy is the healthier for the turnover of the depth of talent there is in its community.

I will be a President for all the people, whether they voted for me or not, whether they are young or old and particularly for the Irish abroad. I'm looking forward to it and I think it will be exciting and wonderful.

I promise: I will be a prime minister to everyone. For right and left, for settlers, Haredim, Druze, Arabs, Circassians. I will be prime minister for the center and for the periphery, for students and senior citizens.

Diversity is so important for me, particularly in the United States Senate, and it's been important to every job that I've held. Whether you're in government or the private sector, we should be just as diverse as the community that we represent.

When you're a political leader, when you represent the entire state or the entire country, not just Republicans or not just Democrats or not just the poor or not just the rich, you have to really represent everybody. No matter who contributes money, when you win, you represent everyone.

I think we need politicians; we need people who want to serve.

At the moment I am a little bit politician, yes. I think that could be my next step. It is not because I want power, it is because of what I think I could do for the people.

I look forward to continuing to represent the people I'm currently serving, as well as the new communities that will be a part of this district in the future.

There is a real diversity of talent and background on the A list so as to better reflect our society in all walks. There are people who have been candidates before, Councillors, Doctors, business leaders, charity campaigners.

In politics there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers, and then there are those like John McCain who use their careers to promote change.

In the end, Ted Kennedy was a politician, plain and simple. Yet he embodied how politics and public service can be successfully intertwined. You can't be a good public servant without being a good politician. Kennedy was both.

My family has been in politics a long time in Los Angeles. We very much believe we are elected to represent the people. I mean, I am to give voice to, you know, the over half a million people I represent in my congressional district. I mean, that's the way it works.

Politics is a people business. I like people.

It's been a great privilege to serve the people of Pennsylvania.

Governing means governing all of the people, no matter what demographic it is, whether it'd be black, white, women, straight, gay, Republican.

My father was in Congress when I was born. He was mayor my whole life from when I was in grade school - first grade - to when I went away to college.

Anytime I look at a president, I don't care what color he is.

Public service is a noble career. You can’t do it unless you get out there and run…. You can make a difference if you are elected.

When I become mayor it will not be of LaSalle Street nor of State Street, but of all the people.

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