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Quotes by Chris Matthews

Chris Matthews

“Keep your enemies in front of you”

“I think this country needs a higher crank-up of democracy now. Louder, more boisterous democracy would be better for us right now.”

“USA Today.”

“[t]hey think he [Bush] cares.”

“Seems like were gonna be hearing Dusty Springfield and . . . the chopper blades again.”

“Im fighting the battle for ideas,”

“Those who want to . . . who feel the desire, who have the passion to go over to Iraq.”

“freedom fighters.”

“Will George Bush be haunted by New Orleans to the last day of his presidency?”

“Okay Ed, will he be haunted to the last day of his presidency?”

Staffers tend to mimic their bosses, to take their key from them.

The author defines professionalism as exemplified by his subjects in their mutual unwillingness to take expected opposition personally. They would not allow grudges to get in the way of more important business.

He was making the inevitable pivot from critic to manager.

He was experienced enough to spot the downside of doing the right thing.

Historically, the coupling of president and Speaker has been a tricky one that encourages a choreography both quick-footed and wary

The Russian people were just like us. They were victims of their own government. Ronald Reagan

Shared history was the coin of the realm.

Anecdotes came with his DNA.

The author deduces the best way James Baker serve Reagan as Chief of Staff was to continually remind him why he wanted to be president.

In politics there is a large difference between loosing and being defeated.