Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I was in Minneapolis the Saturday that speech was given, so to say that it wasn't analogous, I think, is fairly uncertain. The entire town was a tinderbox. So as we continue to move through this, I would appreciate a little less of the self-righteous indignation. What is really damaging here and what is really unfortunate is that we have abandoned any recognition of institutional integrity, any pretense of fairness, any notion that something should be above partisanship. Because I got news--and I believe this--I thought what was said in Minneapolis doesn't rise to incitement of violence. Jury tampering, possibly. Irresponsible, absolutely. The same thing goes for this post. It was dumb. It was silly. It was stupid. It was mean-spirited. But you know what it is not? It is not incitement of violence. And when we use hyperbole in those words, we cause ourselves problems, but there is no point and attempt with the majority at this point to follow through on any rules or procedures. The U.S. House of Representatives looks significantly more like a junior high lunchroom than a legislative body. If you are in our clique, you are okay. If not, tough. If we like you, no fines. If we don't, we will take it out of your paycheck. A Member on your side calls for violence, motion to table; a Member on our side, stand in the well and answer for your sins. Rules matter, process matters, the institution matters.…”