Quote

I'm very concerned about the tone of politics in recent years. We've seen a decline in civility and bipartisanship, and a rapid increase in hostility between those who have differing opinions. I think this has led to the alienation of the public in governance, which jeopardizes democratic participation.

Politics is about a lot more than winning and losing. I think politics at its best is about compromise, shades of grey and about issues.

Government, in the last analysis, is organized opinion. Where there is little or no public opinion, there is likely to be bad government.

Governing is one thing, campaigning is another - and the latter becomes far more pronounced in an election-year State of the Union.

Politics has high and low moments. Sometimes it brings out the better angels of our nature; sometimes baser instincts.

Everyone thinks politics will just go on the way it is. I don't agree.

Everybody is a political person, whether you say something or you are silent. A political attitude is not whether you go to parliament; it's how you deal with your life, with your surroundings.

The more you observe politics, the more you've got to admit that each party is worse than the other.

I feel that if I am freed of the burden of politics, then I can do more and I can take more unpopular decisions. I can have as my guidance for decision whatever is right, not whatever is popular.

As a matter of fact I don't like politics. I really don't. I think it's so jaded now and everybody has to follow the party line.