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With presidential candidates blazing through the campaign trail, let's look back at some of history's most wise, and wince-worthy, political sound bites.
Words of the wise
"Ask not what your country can do for you," John Fitzgerald Kennedy commanded in his January 20, 1961 inaugural address in Washington D.C., "ask what you can do for your country." It stands as one of the most poignant quotations of not only the late President's career, but also the annals of U.S. history.
A century before, Abraham Lincoln was also inspiring the masses. The 16th U.S. President, Lincoln led a career marked by the brave decision to end slavery, and leadership during the Civil War. His most famous address was the Gettysburg Address, delivered at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on November 19, 1863. Paying tribute to the fallen soldiers, he declared, "It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
Indeed, the country's forefathers knew how to stir a crowd.
These are some of the most time-honored quotations:
"I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death."
Patrick Henry (1736-1799), former governor of Virginia, when protesting the British tyranny.
"I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
The final words of American Revolution soldier Nathan Hale (1755-1776), before being hanged by British captors on September 22, 1776.
"The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government."
President George Washington's farewell address on September 17, 1796.
Such courage still exists today. When terrorists attacked the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani rose up to lead not only his own constituents, but a frightened and grieving nation. After toiling at Ground Zero, he urged the people that, "The thing we have to do is demonstrate that the spirit of New York City is not it's buildings. Buildings are important, but the spirit of New York is it's people, free people dedicated to democracy."
Not so meaningful quotes.
"Life is very important to Americans," then Kansas Senator Bob Dole once remarked to a head-scratching crowd.
Texas Speaker of the House Gib Lewis once said, "I want to thank each and every one of you for having extinguished yourselves this session."
"I strongly support the feeding of children," President Gerald Ford once proudly declared in speech of support for the School Lunch Bill.
In 1974, Richard Nixon visited Paris to attend the funeral of French president Georges Pompidou. "This," Nixon remarked during the ceremony, "is a great day for France!"
Even 42nd President Bill Clinton, known as a smooth operator, could bungle a press conference. "This is still the greatest country in the world," he once declared, "if we just will steel our wills and lose our minds."
Dan Quayle
"If we do not succeed, then we run the risk of failure."
"One word sums up probably the responsibility of any vice president, and that one word is 'to be prepared.'"
"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it."
"I was recently on a tour of Latin America, and the only regret I have was that I didn't study Latin harder in school so I could converse with those people."
"Every once in a while, you let a word or phrase out and you want to catch it and bring it back. You can't do that. It's gone, gone forever."
Words of the wise
"Ask not what your country can do for you," John Fitzgerald Kennedy commanded in his January 20, 1961 inaugural address in Washington D.C., "ask what you can do for your country." It stands as one of the most poignant quotations of not only the late President's career, but also the annals of U.S. history.
A century before, Abraham Lincoln was also inspiring the masses. The 16th U.S. President, Lincoln led a career marked by the brave decision to end slavery, and leadership during the Civil War. His most famous address was the Gettysburg Address, delivered at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on November 19, 1863. Paying tribute to the fallen soldiers, he declared, "It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
Indeed, the country's forefathers knew how to stir a crowd.
These are some of the most time-honored quotations:
"I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death."
Patrick Henry (1736-1799), former governor of Virginia, when protesting the British tyranny.
"I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
The final words of American Revolution soldier Nathan Hale (1755-1776), before being hanged by British captors on September 22, 1776.
"The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government."
President George Washington's farewell address on September 17, 1796.
Such courage still exists today. When terrorists attacked the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani rose up to lead not only his own constituents, but a frightened and grieving nation. After toiling at Ground Zero, he urged the people that, "The thing we have to do is demonstrate that the spirit of New York City is not it's buildings. Buildings are important, but the spirit of New York is it's people, free people dedicated to democracy."
Not so meaningful quotes.
"Life is very important to Americans," then Kansas Senator Bob Dole once remarked to a head-scratching crowd.
Texas Speaker of the House Gib Lewis once said, "I want to thank each and every one of you for having extinguished yourselves this session."
"I strongly support the feeding of children," President Gerald Ford once proudly declared in speech of support for the School Lunch Bill.
In 1974, Richard Nixon visited Paris to attend the funeral of French president Georges Pompidou. "This," Nixon remarked during the ceremony, "is a great day for France!"
Even 42nd President Bill Clinton, known as a smooth operator, could bungle a press conference. "This is still the greatest country in the world," he once declared, "if we just will steel our wills and lose our minds."
Dan Quayle
"If we do not succeed, then we run the risk of failure."
"One word sums up probably the responsibility of any vice president, and that one word is 'to be prepared.'"
"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it."
"I was recently on a tour of Latin America, and the only regret I have was that I didn't study Latin harder in school so I could converse with those people."
"Every once in a while, you let a word or phrase out and you want to catch it and bring it back. You can't do that. It's gone, gone forever."
