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.

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.

Television is one of the most fickle businesses that there are, you are in favour one minute and out the next.

This is the us you wanted us to be, Gwen.

It was a fungal party hellscape.

The shot was so precise that the bullet went out his forehead and shattered a whisky bottle against the wall behind the counter.

Witnessing the pain of others is the very least you can do in this world. Its how you know that when your own turn comes, someone will be there with you.

But for those people who might give up: Get real about what you want and go after it.

Running a small country and managing a game is almost synonymous.

I don't like this official/unofficial distinction. It sound, er, officious.

Faith is believing things you know aint true

There is always death at the end of your plan and life at the end of God's plan.

It is hard to think that a $2 billion company with 4,300-plus people couldn't compete with six people in blue jeans.