Mark Shields Quotes

The trust that goes with public service is a heavy burden on those who would lead us.

As the leaders of this great country, I urge my fellow colleagues in the House, governors, and presidential candidates alike to hold ourselves up to a higher standard.

Hillary Clinton is very strong and very smart.

Hillary Clinton is incredibly prepared and smart on all of the issues.

Hillary Clinton is a person who has enormous - I have enormous respect for, has a very distinguished career.

She [Hillary Clinton] had the courage to stand up.

There were always jokes about Hillary Clinton channeling Eleanor Roosevelt, but Eleanor Roosevelt was really instrumental at the UN, and would want to meet with various other delegates.

I think Hillary Clinton is an outstandingly capable and decent person.

Take [the first female] president away from Hillary [Clinton], what's her story? What is fascinating? What's interesting about Hillary? Coughing fits? The lump in her throat that she has to cover with the Mao jacket? What's her story?

I think the greater responsibility, in terms of morality, is where leadership begins.

Secretary Clinton is perfectly capable of defending her own service in office.

The goal isn't, and shouldn't be, to block Hillary Clinton. The goal is to make sure a potential President Clinton is beholden to a better Congress and a better Democratic Party.

I want to tell you ladies and gentlemen, the actions that we took were not always easy. The actions that we took were not always popular. But when you get yourself in public office, you must lead, you must do what's necessary.

When I was 5, my father was very much my hero. And he ran for political office in a very thankless campaign for a very thankless position. And he did it because his mother had instilled in him, if you are someone who has the capacity to make a great change, you have the responsibility.

If I weren't doing the politics, I wouldn't be doing my job.

My focus is on my constituents.

It taught me that Clinton's instinct to make this about your life as a citizen, rather than his as a human being, was the right answer to these things.

There are, believe it or not, good politicians.

If you're blessed enough to serve in public office, then you shouldn't just talk a good game about your values; you should cast your vote according to them.

Thus, neither my government nor myself, personally, are without ideals and responsibilities.

Politics is about accountability, it is about leadership, it is about courage.

Public business … must always be done by somebody…. If wise men decline it, others will not; if honest men refuse it, others will not.

He can't spend all his time running his mouth; he's got to run the country.

If you accept the privilege of public service, you had better understand the responsibilities of public service.

There are a lot of smart people in politics and government, but character matters ... it is terribly important that the two be melded.