Quote of the Day Archive

"According to the grand jury, millions of dollars in taxpayer funds, resources and state employees were illegally used for political campaign purposes - including to remove the Nader-Camejo ticket from the ballot."

-- Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader on his decision to ask the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to reopen their order that he pay $81 million in court costs in connection with Democrats’ efforts to challenge his campaign’s state ballot position during the 2004 election, when he was previously a candidate. Nader’s move came after a state grand jury investigation resulted in indictments against 12 people in connection with the case.

"I think at some point in time people will get together and say this is the right thing for the students of this commonwealth. The disappointment is that the system is failing tens of thousands of students by granting them diplomas that do not represent what they think it represents or what employers expect."

-- Pennsylvania State Board of Education Chairman Karl Girton on the debate over the possible adoption of new statewide graduation standards. Girton announced Tuesday that he would be resigning as school board chairman on Aug. 1.

"Sen. McCain and I differ on issues like Social Security and illegal immigration. I have my own campaign to run right now."

-- Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta, Republican challenger to U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-Nanticoke City), on his decision to not endorse John McCain

"Just because somebody or some group says something is reform doesn't mean it is so."

-- State Rep. Babette Josephs (D-Philadelphia) on government reform advocates’ opposition to her work as chair of the State Government Committee.

"It's much easier running in an open seat than running against an incumbent."

-- Brendan Boyle, Democratic candidate for the 170th District state House seat held by retiring state Rep. George Kenney (R-Philadelphia). In 2006, Boyle narrowly lost to Kenney, who is one of the citys longest-serving Republican officeholders.

“I can campaign as a change agent also as a person who is in a position within the institution to make change happen, and we think that’s going to be a very persuasive argument."

-- U.S. Rep. Phil English, on running for re-election in what is perceived as an "anti-incumbent" year. 

"I will pursue every legislative avenue I have available to me to try to eradicate the spot appeal process from our Commonwealth. The override would be one of those avenues."

– State Rep. Tim Seip (D-Pottsville) on efforts to stop the state's school districts from filing reverse tax reassessment appeals on recently sold homes. Gov. Ed Rendell (D-Pa.) vetoed a bill designed to change the laws on this issue Monday.

"A democratic society can no longer function if the government is going to support candidates and suppress other candidates using its funds and resources."

-- Samuel Stretton, attorney for former Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate Carl Romanelli, asking the state Supreme Court to reopen his two-year-old ballot-access case because state legislative officials arrested last week on corruption charges were allegedly involved in the challenge that knocked him out of the race.

"He just told members of my staff this week that he's running for mayor next year. So I think you need to filter all of his comments through a political filter right now."

-- Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, on mayoral challenger and Council President Doug Shields.

"With gas prices now surpassing $4 per gallon, I want to save my constituents as much money as possible," he said in a statement. "Rather than spending money driving to a town meeting, they can listen at home, free of charge."

-- – U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-Nanticoke) in defense of his telephone town hall meetings, which Republican challenger Lou Barletta has called a series of taxpayer-funded political advertisements.