American politics

Explore 200 quotes about American politics

"We, the people." It is a very eloquent beginning. But when that document was completed on the seventeenth of September in 1787 I was not included in that "We, the people." I felt somehow for many years that George Washington and Alexander Hamilton just left me out by mistake. But through the process of amendment, interpretation and court decision, I have finally been included in "We, the people."

Barbara Jordan

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Topic

Political progress American politics

Speaker

Barbara Jordan

Language

English

Time

1974 1970s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Jordan, Barbara. Statement at Debate on Articles of Impeachment. U.S. House Judiciary Committee Impeachment Hearings. 25 July 1974, Washington, DC, USA.

Let historians not record that when America was the most powerful nation in the world we passed on the other side of the road and allowed the last hopes for peace and freedom of millions of people to be suffocated by the forces of totalitarianism. And so tonight—to you, the great silent majority of my fellow Americans—I ask for your support.

Richard Nixon

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Topic

Vietnam War Cold War American politics Politics

Speaker

Richard Nixon

Source

Silent Majority Speech on the War in Vietnam

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1969 1960s 20th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Nixon, Richard. Televised address to the Nation on the War in Vietnam. 3 Nov. 1969, Washington, DC, USA.

Current Citation

Nixon, Richard. Richard Nixon: Speeches, Writings, Documents, edited by Rick Perlstein. Princeton University Press, 2008, ch. 19.

Maybe you can't override prejudice overnight, but the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, ninety-odd years ago. I believe in gradualism. I also believe that ninety-odd years is pretty gradual.

Thurgood Marshall

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Topic

Civil rights Social progress Political progress Progress American politics

Speaker

Thurgood Marshall

Medium

Interview

Language

English

Time

1987 1980s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Marshall, Thurgood. "Fighting Back: 1957-1962." Eyes on the Prize, created by Henry Hampton, performances by Thurgood Marshall, season 1, episode 2, Blackside, 1987.

I feel an humble confidence that the kind Providence which inspired our fathers with wisdom to frame the most perfect form of government and union ever devised by man will not suffer it to perish until it shall have been peacefully instrumental by its example in the extension of civil and religious liberty throughout the world.

James Buchanan

Inaugural Address of James Buchanan

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Topic

God and America American politics

Speaker

James Buchanan

Source

Inaugural Address of James Buchanan Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1857 1850s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Buchanan, James. "Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1857, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Our Nation can be strong abroad only if it is strong at home. And we know that the best way to enhance freedom in other lands is to demonstrate here that our democratic system is worthy of emulation.

Jimmy Carter

Inaugural Address of Jimmy Carter

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Topic

America as example American politics America

Speaker

Jimmy Carter

Source

Inaugural Address of Jimmy Carter Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1977 1970s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Carter, James E. "Inaugural Address." 20 Jan. 1977, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

We cannot learn from one another until we stop shouting at one another—until we speak quietly enough so that our words can be heard as well as our voices.

Richard Nixon

First Inaugural Address of Richard Nixon

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Topic

Political division American politics

Speaker

Richard Nixon

Source

First Inaugural Address of Richard Nixon Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1969 1960s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Nixon, Richard. "First Inaugural Address." 20 Jan. 1969, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism...The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing to be a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities.

Theodore Roosevelt

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Topic

Assimilation American identity American politics

Speaker

Theodore Roosevelt

Source

Speeches of Theodore Roosevelt

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1915 1910s 20th century

Authentication Score 1

Citation

Roosevelt, Theodore, Jr. Address to the Knights of Columbus. 12 Oct. 1915, Carnegie Hall, New York, NY, USA.

No man can be fully free while his neighbor is not. To go forward at all is to go forward together. This means black and white together, as one nation, not two. The laws have caught up with our conscience. What remains is to give life to what is in the law: to ensure at last that as all are born equal in dignity before God, all are born equal in dignity before man.

Richard Nixon

First Inaugural Address of Richard Nixon

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Topic

Interconnectedness of all people Civil rights Equality American politics

Speaker

Richard Nixon

Source

First Inaugural Address of Richard Nixon Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1969 1960s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Nixon, Richard. "First Inaugural Address." 20 Jan. 1969, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Always the friend of my countrymen, never their flatterer, it becomes my duty to say to them from this high place to which their partiality has exalted me that there exists in the land a spirit hostile to their best interests—hostile to liberty itself. It is a spirit contracted in its views, selfish in its objects.

William Henry Harrison

Inaugural Address of William Henry Harrison

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Topic

Pre-Civil War conflict American politics

Speaker

William Henry Harrison

Source

Inaugural Address of William Henry Harrison Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1841 1840s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Harrison, William Henry. "Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1841, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Upon one point there is entire unanimity in public sentiment—that conflicting claims to the Presidency must be amicably and peaceably adjusted, and that when so adjusted the general acquiescence of the nation ought surely to follow.

Rutherford B. Hayes

Inaugural Address of Rutherford B. Hayes

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Topic

Elections American politics

Speaker

Rutherford B. Hayes

Source

Inaugural Address of Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1877 1870s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Hayes, Rutherford B. "Inaugural Address." 5 Mar. 1877, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Why, America’s the only free nation on earth. Besides! Country’s too big for a revolution. No, no! Couldn’t happen here!

Sinclair Lewis

It Can't Happen Here

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Topic

America American politics Revolution

Speaker

Dr. Fowler Greenhill

Author

Sinclair Lewis

Source

It Can't Happen Here

Medium

Novel

Genre

Dystopian fiction

Language

English

Time

1935 1930s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Lewis, Sinclair. It Can't Happen Here. Doubleday, Doran and Company, 1935, ch. 5.

All agree that under the Constitution slavery in the States is beyond the reach of any human power except that of the respective States themselves wherein it exists.

James Buchanan

Inaugural Address of James Buchanan

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Topic

Pre-Civil War conflict Slavery American politics

Speaker

James Buchanan

Source

Inaugural Address of James Buchanan Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1857 1850s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Buchanan, James. "Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1857, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy.

Lloyd Bentsen

In response to Dan Quayle's claim to have "as much experience in the Congress as Jack Kennedy had when he sought the presidency."

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Topic

American politics

Speaker

Lloyd Bentsen

Source

Vice-Presidential Debate

Medium

Political debate

Language

English

Time

1988 1980s 20th century

Authentication Score 1

Citation

Bentsen, Lloyd. Speech in Nebraska. Vice-Presidential Debate. 5 Oct. 1988, Civic Auditorium, Omaha, NE, USA.

The adoption of the concept of Black Power is one of the most legitimate and healthy developments in American politics and race relations in our time.... It is a call for black people in this country to unite, to recognize their heritage, to build a sense of community. It is a call for black people to begin to define their own goals, to lead their own organizations and to support those organizations. It is a call to reject the racist institutions and values of this society.

Stokely Carmichael

Black Power: The Politics of Liberation

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Topic

Black Power Race relations American politics

Author

Stokely Carmichael

Source

Black Power: The Politics of Liberation

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1967 1960s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Carmichael, Stokely and Charles Vernon Hamilton. Black Power: The Politics of Liberation. Random House, 1967.

In the United States today, we have more than our share of the nattering nabobs of negativism.

Spiro Agnew

More information about this quote

Topic

Negativity American politics America

Speaker

Spiro Agnew

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Statement Type

Assonance

Language

English

Time

1970 1970s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Agnew, Spiro. Address in San Diego. California Republican Convention. 11 Sep. 1970, San Diego, CA, USA.

What is at stake is more than one small country; it is a big idea: a new world order, where diverse nations are drawn together in common cause to achieve the universal aspirations of mankind-peace and security, freedom and the rule of law.

George H.W. Bush

1991 State of the Union Address

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Topic

Persian Gulf War American politics New world order International politics

Speaker

George H.W. Bush

Source

1991 State of the Union Address Presidential State of the Union addresses

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1991 1990s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Bush, George H. W. State of the Union Address. Joint session of the United States Congress. 29 Jan. 1991, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

If they will stop telling lies about the Democrats, we will stop telling the truth about them.

Adlai Stevenson

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Topic

Democrats and Republicans American politics

Speaker

Adlai Stevenson

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1952 1950s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Stevenson, Adlai. Campaign statement. 10 Sept. 1952, Fresno, CA, USA.

We know where they are. They're in the area around Tikrit and Baghdad and east, west, south, and north somewhat.

Donald Rumsfeld

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Topic

Weapons of mass destruction Iraq War American politics

Speaker

Donald Rumsfeld

Medium

Interview TV program

Language

English

Time

2003 2000s 21st century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Rumsfeld, Donald. This Week with George Stephanopoulous. 30 Mar. 2003. ABC.

This Nation--this generation--in this hour, has man's first chance to build the Great Society--a place where the meaning of man's life matches the marvels of man's labor.

Lyndon B. Johnson

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Topic

Social democracy Role of government American politics

Speaker

Lyndon B. Johnson

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1964 1960s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Johnson, Lyndon B. Address accepting the presidential nomination. Democratic National Convention. 27 Aug. 1964, Atlantic City, NJ, USA.

We have talked long enough in this country about equal rights. We have talked for one hundred years or more. It is time now to write the next chapter, and to write it in the books of law.

Lyndon B. Johnson

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Topic

Racial equality Equality Civil rights American politics

Speaker

Lyndon B. Johnson

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1963 1960s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Johnson, Lyndon B. First address to Congress as President. 27 Nov. 1963, US Capital Building, Washington, DC, USA.