TOP 10 NOTABLE QUOTES FROM 2014

yale-university-beinecke-rare-book-and-manuscript-library

A Yale University librarian released a list of the 10 most notable quotes of the year for 2014. The compilation is released each year as a supplement to “The Yale Book of Quotations,” originally published in 2006, and attempts to highlight comments that are famous, important or a reflection of the spirit of the times.  

Are there any you find offensive, funny or an indicator of more to come in 2015?  Would love to hear your comments.

10. (TIE) SEN. PAT ROBERTS

“Every time I get an opponent — I mean, every time I get a chance — I’m home.

— The Kansas Republican’s response to a question about whether he actually resides in the state, during a KCMO radio interview, July 3.

10. (TIE) HILLARY CLINTON

“Great nations need organizing principles, and ‘Don’t do stupid stuff’ is not an organizing principle.”

— From the former Secretary of State’s Atlantic Online interview, August 10.

10. (TIE) JOE BIDEN

“Isn’t it a bitch? I mean, … this vice president thing?”

— The U.S. Vice President’s response to student body vice president at Harvard College, October 2.

9. GWYNETH PALTROW AND CHRIS MARTIN

“We have always conducted our relationship privately, and we hope that as we consciously uncouple and coparent, we will be able to continue in the same manner.”

— Part of a statement on Paltrow’s website announcing the couple’s separation, March 25.

8. TOM PERKINS

“I would call attention to the parallels of fascist Nazi (Germany’s) war on its ‘one percent,’ namely its Jews, to the progressive war on the American one percent, namely the ‘rich.’ … I perceive a rising tide of hatred of the successful one percent.”

— From the venture capitalist’s letter to the editor, Wall Street Journal, January 24.

7. JODI ERNST

“I grew up castrating hogs on an Iowa farm, so when I come to Washington, I’ll know how to cut pork.”

— From the Iowa Senatorial candidate’s campaign advertisement quoted in National Journal, March 25.

6. HILLARY CLINTON

“We came out of the White House not only dead broke, but in debt.”

— From an ABC News interview, June 9.

5. DONALD STERLING

“It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people.”

— The Los Angeles Clippers owner’s remark to V. Stiviano on an audio recording quoted in Los Angeles Times, April 27

4. ADAM GLYN

“Mr. Commissioner, we found out by one phone call. You guys have a whole legal department. Can you explain that?”

— The TMZ reporter questioning NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on why the NFL had not been able to view video of the Ray Rice incident, at a news conference on September 19.

3. MICHAEL BROWN PROTESTERS

“Hands up! Don’t shoot!”

— Chant during demonstrations against the shooting death of Michael Brown, Ferguson, Mo., August .

2. BRIDGET ANNE KELLY

“Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee.”

— Part of an email sent by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s aide to David Wildstein, an official at the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, quoted in The New York Times, January 9.

1. ERIC GARNER

“I can’t breathe!”

— Garner’s videotaped exclamation while being held by a policeman in New York, July 17.

~Kristin