Erskine Bowles Quotations

I think that if we don't get these politicians to come together we face the most predictable economic crisis in history.

It will be about which candidate, which of the two candidates remaining, is best suited to make a positive difference in the lives of North Carolina families, and I submit to each of you tonight that I am that candidate and Elizabeth Dole is not.

Leadership is the key to 99 percent of all successful efforts.

You always have certain strengths and certain weaknesses, and you want to compensate for your weaknesses... I have a real duty to earn the trust of the faculty. I don't just deserve it. I have to earn it.

I believe in cooperating for the common good

And I believe in having an administration that has clearly defined goals, objectives and time lines such that it and its people can be held accountable.

We live in a time today where we face fierce global competition.

I think it's absolutely clear that the fiscal path we are on is not sustainable, and for me, the best analogy is these deficits are like a cancer, and over time they will destroy the country from within.

Romney said that his tax reform proposal is 'very similar to the Simpson-Bowles plan.' How I wish it were.

I always thought that I was okay with arithmetic.

I believe in working in a bipartisan manner

This race will be about the future of our state,

Nobody thought we could balance the federal budget, ... I found that if I just listened hard enough, I could find some common ground.

I have been and remain in absolute awe of your vision and your intellect, of your genuine warmth and concern for others,

I can't imagine having another opportunity to have such a positive impact on the lives and livelihood of the people of North Carolina, ... You will never see someone who is more excited to be here than I am.

He was very clear when he decided there were three basic areas where felt there needed to be some change, ... First in the area of legal immigrants, second in the area of food stamps and third to give the governors some more flexibility.

Unless we are imposing tough penalties on the tobacco companies and doing everything in our power to reduce teen smoking, this administration will not address proposals to give tobacco companies protection from liability,

The American people know that every day 3,000 kids begin to smoke, 1,000 of them die an early death. They're not going to allow us to go forward this year and not have comprehensive bipartisan legislation. It's in everybody's best interest.

will lay a strong foundation for further action.

We don't have a deal, we've made some progress,

The president is not exhausted, I am, ... We're just trying to keep up with him.

Up until today, the North Carolina Research Campus has been an audacious idea on the part of David Murdock. Now it will lead to a more prosperous future.

Any staff who are found to be engaging in such conduct will be fired immediately. In addition, we have make clear to persons outside the White House that we will not tolerate such conduct.

This could be the golden goose, I think there's a lot more homework that needs to be done.

This job has given me a chance to do things that I never dreamed possible,

There's every reason to think he'll be on the ticket, ... It's a decision the vice president will make on his own.

It's awfully tough -- it's painful -- when a friend gives you justifiable criticism, and that's what Joe did,

I want to see if you have the same sense of joy that I do. Because you will never see someone who is more excited to be here than I am!

I'm thrilled he's come on the board, He's very welcome.

In today's knowledge-based global economy, we're competing head-to-head with China, India and dozens of other countries that are making tremendous strategic investments in education and research. The cold hard fact is that if we don't get more of our own people better educated, we're in a losing fight, a fight that if we shape up, we can still win and win big.

I really believe I've been preparing for this job all my life,

I don't think I need to be in lockstep with anybody other than the people of North Carolina,

If I can run a positive campaign and talk about what I believe are important things for North Carolina to do -- and if I think I can win -- then I'll probably take the plunge,

I applaud the president's choice of Dan Reed as a member of PCAST. He brings a broad range of knowledge and experience to the job and will be a strong voice for North Carolina as the council develops national priorities for research, education and IT development.

I believe my experience in the private sector and the public sector has truly prepared me to lead North Carolina into the 21st century.

Come January 1, I promise you I will be prepared to accept this public trust,

The US Debt is the single biggest threat I see to innovation in American business.

I am not a politician.