Paul Begala

One of the reasons we're all sitting here critiquing the Obama plan is because it's the only plan in town.

I think it's a sideshow, but, yes, it's a very effective one, because it's true.

I have the strong sense from my contacts in the White House that they have much bigger fish to fry. They would rather leave political commentators like me to mud-wrestle with political blowhards like Mr. Limbaugh, than themselves get…

The negative rating, that is, the disapproval of Limbaugh was 58, higher, significantly higher, I think, than either Jeremiah Wright or Bill Ayers.

I think it's actually spot on -- A, accurate and B, effective.

I think the larger question is why as President when his mission is to govern not campaign does he need to rely on fabricated villains?

They have a lot bigger fish to fry, Nicole. You need not worry.

I don't want to hush Rush. I don't want to bring back the so-called fairness doctrine or I don't want to do anything that limits his First Amendment rights because the more people hear him the more they want to be Democrats.

This presidency is going to be judged by whether the economy is working and the world is more secure and the American people are more secure.

He is the most powerful person in the Republican Party today bar none.

Mr. Limbaugh is the leading, most powerful force in the Republican Party.

The president wants to move forward. He seems to have less of a retribution streak in him than almost any politician I've come across. I think it's good for the country.

If our Republican friends are so deeply and principally opposed to federal spending after running up $5 trillion in debt, let them opt out.

The notion that they need to pay retention bonuses, as the man said in Jessica Yellin's piece, is preposterous.

I think Mark also has the right take, which is, as a senator, respected senator, former Democratic majority leader, he gets a lot of benefit of doubt, I think, from his colleagues.

There's new Gallup data out that says the percentage of Americans who consider themselves Republicans is at a 20-year low, the percentage of Americans who consider themselves Democrats a 20-year high.

The quickest way -- every economist agrees -- to jolt the economy is to put money into unemployment benefits.

Elections have consequences.

The quickest way, every economist agrees, to jolt the economy is to put money into unemployment benefits.

The percentage of Americans who consider themselves Republicans is at a 20-year low; the percentage of Americans who consider themselves Democrats, a 20-year high.

To paraphrase his inaugural address, he extended his hand and they returned with a clinched fist. It's a big mistake for the Republicans. They are on the wrong side of this deal.

He now has to begin to lead. I thought the speech was muscular and marshal. And now he has got to take us and lead us.

I can't recall a president-elect naming any major Cabinet offices before December 1.

I do want to see Republicans taking on important jobs in this government.

I think she's authentically torn. And I suspect her colleagues know that and I think they probably could use her leadership on issues like health care.