The niftiest turn of phrase the most elegant flight of rhetorical fancy isn't worth beans next to a clear thought clearly expressed.

After immersing myself in the mysteries of the Electoral College for a novel I wrote in the '90s, I came away believing that the case for scrapping it is less obvious than I originally thought.

The niftiest turn of phrase, the most elegant flight of rhetorical fancy, isn't worth beans next to a clear thought clearly expressed.

Somebody is going to have to do fancy footwork to make sure Elizabeth and John Edwards get their prime-time shot .

More things in politics happen by accident or exhaustion than happen by conspiracy.

Something about her eyes or voice has always suggested the hint of a free spirit, trapped in a Peck and Peck cage, dreaming of making rude noises at public gatherings of Republicans.

In every debate, whatever the format, whatever the questions, there is one and only one way to identify the winner: Who commands the room? Who drives the narrative? Who is in charge?

History doesn't turn on a dime; it turns on a plugged nickel.

F.D.R. had to deal with Southern segregationists - and outright racists - who held power in Congress, so he had to yield to that power in order to get his New Deal legislation passed.

In politics, Bugs Bunny always beats Daffy Duck. Daffy's always going berserk, jumping up and down, yelling. Bugs's got that sly smile, like he always knows what's up, like nothing can ruffle him.

In another life, before taking the veil of journalistic purity, I practiced the black arts of a political operative, including 'debate prep.

That's the thing about your destiny how are you supposed to know when it arrives? How are you supposed to recognise it from random life?

It is incumbent upon us to do what we can, even if we cannot do much.

It's one of those things; you just get a very nice stroke from being included in the next thing.

Allah isgreat, no doubt, and Juxtaposition his prophet.

Yet it was very difficult to separate her interpretation, and keep it distinct from his meaning.

Delegating doesn't mean passing off work you don't enjoy, but letting your employees stretch their skills and judgment.

Resolved to ruin or to rule the state.

I think every fantasy reader secretly believes they know how magic works.

It's not a man's working hours that is important, it is how he spends his leisure time.

We must delve deep into history the better to engage a true dialogue of civilisations. Fear of the present can impose upon the past its own biased vision.