Larry Sabato Public Quotations

This is a case where the Bush administration doesn't need to spell out what they did and why they did it. It's as plain as a wart on the nose of a Miss America. Any attempt by Bush's spokespeople to present this as anything other than an admission of error will be laughed out of the public square.

We can always go too far, and frequently do. Is it a harbinger? Who knows. But it's unadulterated bad news for Bush and the Republican Party and great news for Democrats as they attempt to make a comeback in 2006.

That's the great danger of the Republican candidates. If the president's popularity is low come November, there will be a substantial turnover and the Republicans will lose seats.

He needs to restore his Republican base and this is the way to do it,

If the Democrats win it's one more indication that Bush is a significant drag on Republican candidates.

This thing is beginning to look more and more like a publicity stunt. It just adds to the appearance of chaos and uncertainty.

I'll bet no one in New Jersey begrudges him that salary. Public officers ought to have set salaries that are sufficient for an average person to serve.

I'll bet no one in New Jersey begrudges him that salary. Public office ought to have set salaries that are sufficient for an average person to serve.

It is a constant struggle for most public officials between representing average constituents and taking care of the interest groups and wealthy individuals who fund the campaigns.

It demonstrated to the public for the first time that Bush no longer controls his own party in Congress. That's a mark of leadership that people do pay attention to.

To have a chance, Lucas must both demonstrate he still has the fire in the belly to serve in Congress and succeed in making this race as much of a personal popularity contest as it can be. Still, you can bet Davis will seek to tie his opponent to his party label at every turn, and we give the freshman Republican an early leg up.

They can get away with less, but they don't recognize that truth. The cumulative effect on the public is to increase cynicism about government and politicians.

Absolutely. The Republican campaign in Virginia will tell you that, at least privately. The president chose to nationalize that election by showing up on election eve. You don't want to do that unless you want to be associated with the results. I think they thought genuinely Bush could pull him across the race. It wasn't close. The result: Bush has to take the spanking.

Absolutely, ... The Republican campaign in Virginia will tell you that, at least privately. The president chose to nationalize that election by showing up on election eve. You don't want to do that unless you want to be associated with the results. I think they thought genuinely Bush could pull him across the race. It wasn't close. The result: Bush has to take the spanking.

Why risk his excellent relationship with the current and future junior senator of Nevada to score some points with a few party activists? He's being practical. Successful public people are always practical.

At this point, nothing President Bush says is going to have much impact. The only thing that is going to change public opinion is an improvement in the situation on the ground in Iraq.