Yeas & Nays looked back over the past year and found some of the most memorable quotes dished out by politicos and other notables.
“You don’t want to sit around just because you’re an old guy, drooling in the corner.” – President George H.W. Bush, when asked on “Fox News Sunday” about his plans to skydive at the age of 90. Jan. 12, 2009
“Fairly recently Congress’ approval rating was at 4 percent. I mean, O.J. [Simpson’s] approval rating was at 16 percent in 1995.”– Pollster John Zogby, speaking on his new book, “The Way We’ll Be.” Feb. 22, 2009
“I have received death threats. On election night, I loaded my gun.” – Samuel Wurzelbacher, aka Joe the Plumber, at a news conference he hosted at the National Press Club to announce a lawsuit he filed against supporters of President Obama who allegedly searched confidential databases for dirt on the plumber. March 6, 2009
“I’ve always said politics is like the circus: The worst job is cleaning up after the elephants. We’re just beginning to find out how true that is.” – Democratic operative James Carville, in an e-mail pitch to Democratic donors. And no, he’s not referring to the Britney Spears’ “Circus” tour, which stopped by the Verizon Center. March 27, 2009
“And Ben Nelson is here, someone I don’t have any respect for.” – Vice President Biden, ribbing his ex-Senate colleague at the Motion Picture Association of America’s Jack Valenti Humanitarian Award dinner. April 23, 2009
“For obvious reasons, it didn’t work out.” – Openly gay D.C. Councilman Jim Graham, D-Ward 1, discussing his (since ended) marriage to a woman. The council was debating legislation that would recognize gay marriages performed in other jurisdictions. May 6, 2009
“This is actually the second honorary degree I’ve received this year. Just last week I was awarded an honorary degree for my contribution in the field of linguistics, particularly my work in four-letter words.” – Rahm Emanuel in his commencement speech to students of George Washington University at their ceremony on the National Mall. May 18, 2009
“I had planned on driving my ’67 Corvette up the middle of this area here. But the Secret Service said they wouldn’t let me do it.” – Vice President Biden, giving the commencement address at Wake Forest University. May 19, 2009
“At 6:30 tomorrow morning, the president will announce his Supreme Court nominee. Gotcha! I’m done. That’s obviously a joke, but I did love to see that — if somebody can quickly text me the name of a chiropractor, because at least four dozen necks snapped in one direction.” – White House press secretary Robert Gibbs, having some fun with the press corps. May 26, 2009
“I want Hillary Duff to play me. I think she’s really hot — hotter than me — but I’d still want her to play me.” – Sen. John McCain’s daughter Meghan to the New York Daily News about whom she would like to play her in a movie version of her still-unreleased book. July 2, 2009
“I think he’s nuts, OK. Just out and out nuts. I also think that he’s a blatant hypocrite.” – CNN “State of the Union” political contributor James Carville, on Glenn Beck speaking for the Republican Party. Oct. 5, 2009
“Fake or real: I want to know, is Hillary Clinton a reptilian?” – Richard Heene, father of “Balloon Boy” Falcon Heene, on Hillary Clinton’s shape-shifting face. Oct. 19, 2009
“Pathetic, really pathetic. No, there’s no hope.” – House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, on the Washington Redskins’ dismal season. Nov. 1, 2009
“You and I are both really tall. Maybe we’re from the same family.” – Big Bird upon meeting first lady Michelle Obama. She made a guest appearance to celebrate “Sesame Street’s” 40th anniversary. Nov. 12, 2009
“I was asked by somebody yesterday, and I frankly said if somebody had said to me, ‘Hey, some Virginians tried to crash your party, there’s 7 and a half million Virginians, who do you think it might be?’ I think I might have been able to guess it within about five seconds. Because he’s such a promoter, and I’ll just kind of leave it there.” – Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine on the state’s most famous party crashers, Tareq and Michaele Salahi. Dec. 2, 2009
