Share Your Favorite Ann Richards Quotes

[OzarkDem]

She was a grand lady and a personal hero of mine, and many other Dem women.

Here are some greats:

“Let me tell you, sisters, seeing dried egg on a plate in the morning is a lot dirtier than anything I've had to deal with in politics.”

"The here and now is all we have, and if we play it right it's all we'll need."

“Ann Richards on How to Be a Good Republican: 1. You have to believe that the nation's current 8-year prosperity was due to the work of Ronald Reagan and George Bush, but yesterday's gasoline prices are all Clinton's fault. 2. You have to believe that those privileged from birth achieve success all on their own. 3. You have to be against all government programs, but expect Social Security checks on time.”

“I've always said that in politics, your enemies can't hurt you, but your friends will kill you.”

“I believe in recovery, and I believe that as a role model I have the responsibility to let young people know that you can make a mistake and come back from it.”

“I have very strong feelings about how you lead your life. You always look ahead, you never look back.”

“I have always had the feeling I could do anything and my dad told me I could. I was in college before I found out he might be wrong.”

“I'm really glad that your young people missed the Depression I'm really glad that your young people missed the Depression and missed the big war. But I do regret that they missed the leaders that I knew, leaders who told us when things were tough and that we'd have to sacrifice, and that these difficulties might last awhile. They brought us together and they gave us a sense of national purpose.”

"Women elected Bill Clinton this time. He acknowledges it, the country acknowledges it, and the columnists acknowledge it, and when you have that kind of political clout, you can effect change and do it well. And I'm real proud to have been a part of that."

"I feel very strongly that change is good because it stirs up the system."

"You paid the price to some degree. You lost the governorship of Texas because this country still is a little bit schizoid, isn’t it, about the role of women in American politics?" <1996 question of newsman Tom Brokaw to Ann Richards>

[Captain Hilts]

1. Quoting Gov. "Ma" Ferguson...speaking to Mexican kids...

learning in Spanish: "If the English language was good enough for Jesus Christ, it's good enough for you."

I laughed so hard hearing her tell that one.

Or her razing Lady Bird Johnson for once, when sitting in a room with: Richards - the Gov. of Texas, Hillary Clinton - first lady, Liz Carpenter - her former secretary and a woman who was her current secretary, when being called out of the room, Lady Bird turned to her current secretary and instinctively said, "watch my purse...." Lady Bird laughed at the story too.

[whistle]

2. Ann Richards made all of our lives richer by her presence....

...she will be missed:

<other quotes>

Teaching was the hardest work I had ever done, and it remains the hardest work I have done to date.

Poor George, he can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth. <1988 keynote address, Democratic National Convention>

I am delighted to be here with you this evening because after listening to George Bush all these years, I figured you needed to know what a real Texas accent sounds like. <1988 keynote address, Democratic National Convention>

[RufusEarl]

3. No quotes, but this is one ole Texas boy that's going to miss her!

[etherealtruth]

4. What was the exact quote ...

pp: Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astair did, except backward and in high heels.

This woman will be sorely missed.

[Warpy]

5. One of the acronyms in nursing here is TOT

It means "Tough Old Texan" and refers to people from west Texas who'd wander out this way, get sick at this altitude, and come into the hospital. It's a real character type, and Ann Richards was one of the finest.

[Horse with no Name]

6. Here are a couple

"They blame the low income women for ruining the country because they are staying home with their children and not going out to work. They blame the middle income women for ruining the country because they go out to work and do not stay home to take care of their children."

"I hope all the WASP present and past will fly high on wings of our pride in their service ... you have my profound gratitude for the legacy you have given to us and the legacy you pass on to young women today. "

"I am delighted to be here with you this evening because after listening to George Bush all these years, I figured you needed to know what a real Texas accent sounds like. " <1988 keynote address, Democratic National Convention>

[kskiska]

7. "You can put lipstick on a pig and call it Monique…

but it's still a hog."

[melissinha]

8. Not a quote but....... "Republicans for Voldemort"

After watching "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire", she bought a "Republicans for Voldemort" Shirt.

I heard that she bough the shirt the day before I did from the guy who sold me my shirt, I will always think of her when I wear it.

[Lex]

9. "George W. Bush was born on 3rd base but thought he hit a triple."

Didn't she say that one too?


Dang. I will miss her terribly. She was the real deal.

[Sparkly]

11. That's my favorite, too. nt

[DinahMoeHum]

10. Can't believe you left out that classic about Poppy Bush !!

"Poor George...he cain't help it...he was born with a silver foot in his mouth."

:rofl:

[OzarkDem]

13. Wanted to save a few for everyone else to post n/t

She had quite a few. I always wanted to just sit down at the kitchen table and talk with her.

[lpbk2713]

12. "Silver foot" was a classic.

Right up there with "you're no Jack Kennedy" another classic quote from another classy Texan.