* “Perhaps, the argument goes, these nations (Brazil, China, India) represent the future, and the time for our (U.S-Europe) leadership has passed. That argument is wrong. The time for our leadership is now.”–President Barack Obama.
* “(Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu’s ostensible acceptance of the principle of a Palestinian state itself is so ringed about with riders and conditions that critics at home and elsewhere question his sincerity.”–The Economist.
* “Netanyahu sees Obama as more sympathetic to the Palestinians and less so to Israel than any president since Jimmy Carter, and he, Netanyahu, would like to see Obama replaced by someone more like the born-again, pro-Israel Christian George W. Bush.”–Patrick Buchanan, Creators Syndicate.
* “We need to be honest with the President, with the Congress, with the American people, indeed ourselves, about what those consequences are: that a smaller military, no matter how superb, will be able to go fewer places and be able to do fewer things.”–Defense Secretary Robert Gates on the implications of likely defense spending cuts.
* “The British political system gives the majority party much greater power than any party could hope to have in the United States, but cultural norms make the political debate less moralistic and less absolutist.”–David Brooks, New York Times.
* “Right now this (negotiations to raise the $14.3 trillion federal debt ceiling) is all theater. I think the vast bulk of Congress understands it completely. I think there are some people pretending not to understand, who think there is leverage for them in threatening default. I don’t understand that negotiating position.”–Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.
* “A party that used to range from moderates to Reagan conservatives now ranges from Reagan conservatives to tea party conservatives.”–Michael Gerson, Washington Post.
* “In my view the factor most responsible for philandering in public officials is a predisposition for risk taking, which also happens to be an essential quality for politicians. … Another factor in the frequent infidelities of politicians is the fact that they are often surrounded by acolytes–adoring followers, campaign workers, office staffers–all focused on pleasing the politician. That adoration can stand in stark contrast to, say, a wife back home who resents that she’s now the only one to take out the garbage, walk the dog and ferry the kids to soccer practice.”–Frank Farley, Temple University psychologist and former president of the American Psychological Association.
* “Our drive-through culture, which applies to relationships as well as mealtimes, is the real enemy of fitness and health.”–Kathleen Parker, Washington Post.
* “When black men degrade gays, we are hypocrites. We cheapen our own history and struggles. It remains stunning to me why more African-American athletes don’t understand this. When a slur is aimed at us, we feel the impact. So why wouldn’t gays?”–Sportsline.com African-American columnist Mike Freeman.
* “Today, South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint is the closest approximation of a Republican kingmaker, because since 1980 the candidate who has carried his state has won the nomination, and because the tea party trusts him.”–George Will, Washington Post.
* “The party of Sam’s Club, not just the country club.”–Presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty on what he says the Republican Party really stands for.
* “If you looked up boring in the dictionary, that’d be more exciting than listening to Tim Pawlenty.”–Comedian Seth Meyers.
* “If (Gov. Rick) Perry finally announces his (presidential) candidacy, he would fit right into a GOP field that’s already treaded by aspiring celebrities hawking books and reality TV shows.”–Texas Democratic Party spokeswoman Kirsten Gray.
* “What should concern Republicans is whether he’s going to be a drag on the ticket in 2012. I can’t imagine the Democrats won’t run a campaign linking Republican candidates at all levels to Gov. Scott.”–Dan Smith, University of Florida political scientist.
* “It’s much harder to watch than play.”–Shawn Thornton of the Boston Bruins.
* “There’s a love affair that’s been revived here.”–Tampa Bay Lightning CEO Tod Leiweke on the captivating playoff run that has resulted in an energized fan base and a surge in season-ticket sales.