Deval Patrick Quotes

I've got three little kids at home, and I'm trying to save this country from itself. I'm not here to play political power games, and I've had enough of people playing political power games, and this has just gone on too long.

I was concerned about the link between crime and politics, and I figured out the only way I could do something about it was to get into politics.

Sometime between elections we should concentrate on doing something.

Change very often comes to Washington, not from Washington.

I'm going to Congress to break down the doors of power.

I'm not running for president to be somebody, I'm running for president to do something!

Politics was put in front of me. I do politics because it's the vehicle for change and because I happen to be good at it... I had this sort of calm fearlessness, that some would call foolishness.

The challenge is not to replace Obama but with who. It's not enough to just change up the uniform, if we don't change the team and the game plan, we won't save our country.

Too often, advances in civil rights or women's rights are undermined by wrong-headed legislation or weak-kneed political leadership.

If we are to change America, we must change the United States Congress.

I know how bad Albany is. I know it better than most. I understand why people are angry. I'm angry. The question is going to be, how do you change Albany, what is the plan for change, and then how do you actually get it done?

Only I can turn this country around.

The American people... want change. They want big ideas, big reform.

You don't choose a party because it's the flavour of the month. I feel I will be able to work under a political system. I feel if people like me don't enter politics to bring change, who will?

I spent 10 years fighting for reform in Cook County, and I didn't change my DNA when I got to Washington.

From 1965 to 1967, my dad, Jack Gilligan, served in Congress and helped pass landmark laws like the Voting Rights Act.

I think Newt Gingrich has a proven track record of changing Washington and getting results.

To pass a big idea in this town. You almost need social unrest

New laws are written, and new men are made.

Good ends can rarely be attained in politics without passion.

The people are difficult to govern: It is because those in authority are too fond of action [change].

I’m in politics to speak up for a Canada that takes risks, that stands up for what’s right. A Canada that leads.

There will be scandals. There will be scandals. And then maybe we can reform again.

You can reform a political culture, but it’s a big lift. First, the voters would have to convince the legislators that they’re being watched by someone other than the lobbyists. Then they’d have to press for laws that would force a change of behavior, like nonpartisan redistricting and ethics reform. Then the voters would have to follow up, year after year, until the old guard was replaced by a whole new generation who went into politics with dreams of drafting serious legislation, rather than just bringing more stuff back into the district or, at worst, shaking down some landlord at the airport for a thousand bucks.

Stop sending out press releases and start passing some bills...