Your week in political quotes

LIN TV News

John Perry, Digital Media Political Producer

Updated: Mar 15, 2012 2:24 PM

(LIN) – The war in Afghanistan has reached a boiling point after a U.S. soldier was accused of opening fire and killing 16 unarmed civilians.

"This is an assassination, an intentional killing of innocent civilians and cannot be forgiven. "--President Hamid Karzai, on the incident.

"We seem to get tested almost every other day with challenges that test our leadership and our commitment to the mission that we're involved in. War is hell."--Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, saying that the U.S. must resist pressure from Washington and Kabul to change course in Afghanistan because of anti-American outrage over the shooting.

"It is time to bring our troops home, and, while the president has laid out a responsible path to do so, we should continue to look for every opportunity to accelerate our timeline."--Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., a top lawmaker on the House Armed Services Committee, on the war in Afghanistan.

"Why is it that poll numbers indicate people are interested in ending the war in Afghanistan? It's because we've been there for 10 years, and people get weary."--President Barack Obama, on the administration's view that the withdrawal of troops in Afghanistan be modeled after the one in Iraq.

"We did it again. Now is the time for conservatives to pull together."--2012 presidential candidate and former Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., to cheering supporters in Lafayette, La. Santorum swept the Alabama and Mississippi primaries on Tuesday night.

"He's spoken out against science, he's spoken out against education, and one would say that education in the pursuit of science.  So obviously it won't be good. "--Actor Michael J. Fox, on the rise of Santorum and the prospect of a Santorum presidency.

"When I campaign on $2.50 a gallon gasoline, this is actually an understatement. If the price of gasoline were to drop as much as the price of natural gas has dropped in the last four years, it'll be a $1.13 a gallon."--2012 presidential candidate and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., at a campaign stop in Illinois.

“Last night Samantha and I, in bed, were looking through this guest list and Samantha said, ‘the star from my favorite movie is going to be here.'”--British Prime Minister David Cameron, before a state dinner at the White House. Cameron’s wife Samantha said her favorite movie is “Caddyshack,” but veteran actor Chevy Chase wasn’t on the guest list. It turns out a guest was invited from Chevy Chase, Md. 

"In all of our interactions including today I've learned something about David. In good times and in bad, he's just the kind of partner that you want at your side. I trust him. He says what he does and he does what he says. "--Obama, on Cameron.   

"He acted like an idiot. He's an idiot. I don't have any regret about it at all. " --Gov. Chris Christie, R-N.J., after calling a constituent an idiot in a heated exchange at a town hall meeting.

"Saying goodbye is the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I'm leaving with a heavy heart, a clear conscience and I have high, high hopes for the future. "--Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, D-Ill., in a statement before he left to begin his prison sentence. Blagojevich was found guilty on corruption charges in 2011.

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