Politics has always been a game of power, and with power comes the desire to win at all costs. Unfortunately, this often leads to politicians attacking their opponents with harsh and sometimes even offensive language. From calling each other names to making outrageous claims, politicians have been known to say some pretty terrible things about the other party. Here are some of the worst political quotes about the other party that have made headlines over the years.
"I know words. I have the best words." - Donald Trump
Love him or hate him, there's no denying that Donald Trump has said some pretty outrageous things during his time in politics. One of his most infamous quotes came when he was running for president in 2016 and he declared, "I know words. I have the best words." While some may have found this statement amusing, others saw it as a prime example of Trump's arrogance and lack of humility.
"You can put lipstick on a pig. It's still a pig." - Barack Obama
During the 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama made a comment that caused quite a stir. Referring to his opponent's policies, he said, "You can put lipstick on a pig. It's still a pig." While Obama later claimed that he wasn't talking about his opponent specifically, many people interpreted the quote as a personal attack on Sarah Palin, who had famously joked about being a "hockey mom" who wears lipstick.
"I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent's youth and inexperience." - Ronald Reagan
During the 1984 presidential campaign, Ronald Reagan was asked about his age and whether it might affect his ability to do the job. Rather than getting defensive, he made a joke out of it by saying, "I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent's youth and inexperience." While this quote is often cited as an example of Reagan's wit and charm, some people saw it as a subtle dig at his opponent, Walter Mondale.
"I'm not a witch." - Christine O'Donnell
During her campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2010, Christine O'Donnell made a bizarre ad in which she declared, "I'm not a witch." The ad was in response to comments she had made years earlier on a talk show, in which she had admitted to dabbling in witchcraft in her youth. While O'Donnell may have been trying to put the issue to rest, the ad only drew more attention to it and made her look even more unqualified for the job.
"Binders full of women." - Mitt Romney
During a presidential debate in 2012, Mitt Romney was asked about his views on equal pay for women. In his response, he claimed that he had "binders full of women" that he had used to find qualified female candidates for government positions when he was governor of Massachusetts. While Romney may have been trying to show that he was committed to gender equality, the quote quickly became a punchline and made him look out of touch with women's issues.
"I can see Russia from my house." - Sarah Palin
During the 2008 presidential campaign, Sarah Palin was asked about her foreign policy experience. In her response, she claimed that she could see Russia from her house in Alaska. While Palin may have been trying to show that she had some knowledge of the country's proximity to Russia, the quote quickly became a meme and made her look unprepared for the job of vice president.
"They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists." - Donald Trump
During his announcement speech for the 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump made a controversial statement about Mexican immigrants. He said, "They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists." While some of Trump's supporters may have seen this as a bold statement about the need for stronger border security, others saw it as a racist and offensive attack on an entire group of people.
"I don't know much about the Ukraine, but I know it's not in the United States." - Sarah Palin
During the 2008 presidential campaign, Sarah Palin was asked about her foreign policy experience again, this time with regards to the conflict in Ukraine. In her response, she revealed a stunning lack of knowledge about the situation by saying, "I don't know much about the Ukraine, but I know it's not in the United States." The quote once again made Palin look unprepared for the job of vice president.
"If you like your healthcare plan, you can keep it." - Barack Obama
During the debate over the Affordable Care Act, Barack Obama made a promise to Americans that would later come back to haunt him. He said, "If you like your healthcare plan, you can keep it." While Obama may have truly believed that this would be the case, the reality was that millions of people ended up losing their plans due to the reforms. The quote became a rallying cry for Obama's opponents and damaged his credibility on the issue.
"I'm not a scientist." - Marco Rubio
During a 2014 interview, Senator Marco Rubio was asked about his views on climate change. In his response, he said, "I'm not a scientist, man." While Rubio may have been trying to avoid taking a firm position on the issue, the quote only made him look ignorant and uninterested in the important issue of environmental policy.
"You're likable enough, Hillary." - Barack Obama
During the 2008 Democratic primary season, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were engaged in a bitter battle for the nomination. During a debate, Obama made a comment to Clinton that was meant to be a compliment, but came off as condescending. He said, "You're likable enough, Hillary." The quote made Obama look arrogant and dismissive of his opponent, and it became one of the most memorable moments of the campaign.
"I'm not a witch. I'm you." - Christine O'Donnell
As if her "I'm not a witch" ad wasn't bizarre enough, Christine O'Donnell made another strange statement during a debate in 2010. In response to a question about her past statements on masturbation, O'Donnell declared, "I'm not a witch. I'm you." The quote only added to the perception that O'Donnell was unqualified for public office and out of touch with reality.
"Basket of deplorables." - Hillary Clinton
During the 2016 presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton made a comment at a fundraiser that would come back to haunt her. Referring to some of Donald Trump's supporters, she said, "You could put half of Trump's supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables." While Clinton later apologized for the comment, it only strengthened the perception that she was out of touch with working-class Americans.
"47 percent." - Mitt Romney
During a private fundraiser in 2012, Mitt Romney made a comment that would prove to be a major stumbling block for his campaign. He said, "There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to healthcare, to food, to housing, to you-name-it." The comment only reinforced the perception that Romney was out of touch with working-class Americans and didn't understand their struggles.
"I'll be back." - Arnold Schwarzenegger
While not technically a political quote, Arnold Schwarzenegger's famous line from the movie "The Terminator" has become synonymous with his time as governor of California. He used the line in his 2003 re-election campaign, and it quickly became a meme and a symbol of his larger-than-life persona. While Schwarzenegger may have been trying to show that he was tough and determined, some people saw the quote as evidence that he didn't take his job as governor seriously enough.
"I invented the Internet." - Al Gore
During the 2000 presidential campaign, Al Gore made a comment that would come back to haunt him. He said, "During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet." While Gore may have been trying to take credit for his role in promoting the development of the Internet, the quote only made him look arrogant and out of touch with reality.
"I did not have sexual relations with that woman." - Bill Clinton
During the Monica Lewinsky scandal, Bill Clinton made a statement that would become one of the most famous political quotes of all time. He said, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman." While Clinton later admitted to having an inappropriate relationship with Lewinsky, the quote only added to the perception that he was dishonest and untrustworthy.
"You're fired." - Donald Trump
While not a political quote in the traditional sense, Donald Trump's catchphrase from his reality show "The Apprentice" has become synonymous with his time in politics. He used the line during the 2016 presidential campaign to dismiss opponents and critics, and it quickly became a symbol of his no-nonsense approach to politics. While some people may have found the quote amusing, others saw it as evidence that Trump lacked the temperament and professionalism needed for the job of president.
"I'm not a crook." - Richard Nixon
During the Watergate scandal, Richard Nixon made a statement that would become one of the most infamous political quotes of all time. He said, "I'm not a crook." While Nixon may have been trying to defend himself against accusations of wrongdoing, the quote only added to the perception that he was guilty and untrustworthy. Nixon would later resign from office in disgrace.
"I'm with her." - Hillary Clinton
During her 2016 presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton used the slogan "I'm with her" to rally support among women voters. While the slogan may have been effective in some ways, it also reinforced the perception that Clinton was out of touch with working-class Americans and didn't understand their struggles. The quote became a symbol of her perceived elitism