Verbatim

I’ve got real empathy for those who are unemployed, as most of you know I’ve got 11 brothers and sisters. I know that three of my brothers lost their jobs, I’m not sure whether they’ve found jobs, yet, so I’ve got a lot of empathy for those caught in this economic downturn.

– House Speaker-in-Waiting John Boehner (R-Ohio), trying to explain why he opposes extending benefits to the unemployed

Verbatim

So many of the elected politicians in Washington seem to be shackled by the fear of a primary. It’s liberating. It’s a lot of fun, and I’m convinced it’s what the people want.

— Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (I), in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, on no longer having to worry about the most ideological voters as an independent candidate.

Verbatim

I’ll be the only one that hasn’t run as a Republican in the past.

–Florida Senate candidate U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, commenting on his competition in the race: former Florida House Speaker and Tea Party favorite Marco Rubio, Gov. Charlie Crist, who recently went NPA, and millionaire Jeff Greene, who has been a Florida resident and a Democrat for less than two years.

Verbatim


They should follow the law and let them lapse.

— Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, whose endorsement of President Bush’s 2001 tax cuts helped persuade Congress to pass them, telling Bloomberg that lawmakers should allow the cuts to expire at the end of the year.

Verbatim

Because he was smart enough to die in 2010, there is zero tax liability on the estate tax. If he had died in 2009, or 2011, there would have been a $500 million tax liability to his estate in 2009, and in 2011 — under the proposal that we have — there would have been a $600 million liability.

— Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY), quoted by The Hill, providing some badly needed perspective on the passing of New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

Verbatim

I think I will be part of a nucleus with Jim DeMint and Tom Coburn, who are unafraid to stand up. If we get another loud voice in there, like Mike Lee from Utah or Sharron Angle from Nevada, there will be a new nucleus.

— Kentucky U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul (R), in an interview with the National Review, on what type of Senator he would be if elected.

Verbatim

Bristol believes in redemption and forgiveness to a degree most of us struggle to put in practice in our daily lives.

Sarah and Todd Palin’s ghost-writers, in a statement on the announced re-betrothal of Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston. Bristol’s statement was slightly different: “We got engaged two weeks ago. It felt right, even though we don’t have the approval of our parents.”

Verbatim

Marco is the only candidate in this race that provides a true alternative to what is going on in Washington D.C. right now. We are at a crucial, pivotal point in our nation’s history and we are poised to go down a road of expanded government that could lead to socialism if left unchecked. I know Marco has the courage and conviction to stand up to those in Washington who say that America’s best days are behind us and he will instead help to restore America’s image as a shining city on a hill.

— Alex de la Portilla, speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, endorsing Marco Rubio (R) for U.S. Senate.