Somebody is going to have to do fancy footwork to make sure Elizabeth and John Edwards get their prime-time shot .

After immersing myself in the mysteries of the Electoral College for a novel I wrote in the '90s, I came away believing that the case for scrapping it is less obvious than I originally thought.

The niftiest turn of phrase, the most elegant flight of rhetorical fancy, isn't worth beans next to a clear thought clearly expressed.

More things in politics happen by accident or exhaustion than happen by conspiracy.

Something about her eyes or voice has always suggested the hint of a free spirit, trapped in a Peck and Peck cage, dreaming of making rude noises at public gatherings of Republicans.

In every debate, whatever the format, whatever the questions, there is one and only one way to identify the winner: Who commands the room? Who drives the narrative? Who is in charge?

History doesn't turn on a dime; it turns on a plugged nickel.

F.D.R. had to deal with Southern segregationists - and outright racists - who held power in Congress, so he had to yield to that power in order to get his New Deal legislation passed.

In politics, Bugs Bunny always beats Daffy Duck. Daffy's always going berserk, jumping up and down, yelling. Bugs's got that sly smile, like he always knows what's up, like nothing can ruffle him.

In another life, before taking the veil of journalistic purity, I practiced the black arts of a political operative, including 'debate prep.

Television is one of the most fickle businesses that there are, you are in favour one minute and out the next.

The kitchen of the Big House was always one of my favorite places. Airy and sunny. No modern cabinets or anything like that. Just a room full of windows, set into wise, worn walls.

Better a living beggar than a buried emperor.

It is easy when we are in prosperity to give advice to the afflicted.

Directing is so interesting. You know, it just sort of encompasses everything that you see, that you know, that you've felt, that you have observed.

All fables, indeed, have their morals; but the innocent enjoy the story.

...the moment of passage from disturbance into harmony is that of intensest life.

Every day silence harvests its victims. Silence is a mortal illness.

If you look at [Donald] Trump's attacks on Jeb Bush, they've been pretty devastating.

If you feel the urge, don't be afraid to go on a wild goose chase. What do you think wild geese are for anyway?

Anytime that I've felt uninspired, I don't force myself to sit down and write. I only do it when I feel the impulse.