"They couldn't go for her because she was an independent woman."

"There's no question the economy's in big trouble, ... We have to look at what's good for the average American."

"We certainly are not about to declare victory,"

"oil companies need to make more money this year."

"We're almost there. We're not there. We still have some obstacles. The leader and I have spoken about them the last few hours. There's other pieces of legislation that may interfere. We have some amendments we have to vote on that are going to be hurtful to some people and not to others."

"We must find ways to get them the resources they need and bring them to safety,"

"Justice O'Connor has been a voice of moderation and reason on the court and should be replaced by someone who, like her, embodies the fundamental American values of fairness, liberty and equality,"

"It is especially important to identify a consensus candidate to succeed Justice O'Connor, who has been a voice of reason and moderation."

"The families in the Gulf don't need to hear a speech from me and, frankly, they don't need to hear another speech from the president, ... What they need is leadership."

"The families in the Gulf ... certainly don't need to hear another speech from President Bush,"

"The president offered comforting words tonight, but the victims of Hurricane Katrina don't need just words, they need a plan that will lead the way in recovery, rebuilding, and renewal."

"The president has made his choice, ... Now the Senate will do its job of deciding whether to confirm John Roberts to a lifetime seat on the Supreme Court."

"It's time that America's government lived by the same values as America's families. It's time we invested in America's future and made sure our people have the skills to compete and thrive in a 21st century economy. That's what Democrats believe."

"We offer a vision for a brighter American future, based on goals such as affordable health care for everyone, quality education, and environmental protection. We stand for a society that respects and celebrates diversity."

"It is no surprise that the Republican-controlled Senate intelligence committee has once again caved in to the wishes of the White House and refused even to open an investigation. We cannot effectively legislate on the NSA spying issue if we do not know the facts, and we will not know them if the Republican-controlled intelligence committee persists in refusing to do its job."

"Leaking classified information to discredit White House critics, the vice president is behind that,"

"It's like running up your credit card bills today because a fortune-teller predicted you'd be rich in 10 years. When the bill comes due, you can't pay with a prediction."

"There are strong feelings on each side."

"I'm not in the habit of patting the president on the back."

"We have spent two months - two months - dealing with basically five judges, all of whom have jobs."

"First, 2006 should be a significant year of transition to full Iraqi sovereignty, with Iraqis taking more and more responsibility for their own security."

"Congress has an immediate opportunity to pass legislation enabling both companies to keep pension plans for workers in place."

"As Congress finally begins to address this problem, I hope that you will stand up to the right wing of your party and stand up for what is right,"

"Unfortunately, today's event only served to highlight the fact that the president refuses to engage in a frank conversation about the realities on the ground."

"We must protect this fragile compromise from those intent on gutting this bill."

"We're a government of laws, not men. It is not for George W. Bush to disregard the Constitution and decide that he is above the law."

"But there is nothing disrespectful about an open and fair-minded review of a nominee's approach to the Constitution and his commitment to core American values like equality, privacy and fairness,"

"There has been adequate time for people to debate. I hope this matter will be resolved without too much more talking."

"There's been adequate time for people to debate."

"To try to limit debate on this most important matter that Senator Feingold is trying to put before the Senate is not appropriate."

"I welcome that debate. One would have to search long and hard to find a bill, in my opinion, as bad as this."

"It is not enough to remove Mr. Brown from the disaster scene. Mr. Brown simply doesn't have the ability or the experience to oversee a coordinated federal response of this magnitude."

"America supports everything that we need to do with Katrina. I hope everyone understands this approximately $63 billion ... that's only a down payment. There's going to be lots more money."

"It is not enough to remove Mr. Brown from the disaster scene,"

"nominee with relevant non-judicial experience would bring a different and useful perspective to the court."

"The failure of the White House to produce relevant documents is reason enough for any senator to oppose this nomination. The administration cannot treat the Senate with such disrespect without some consequences,"

"Social Security is not in crisis. It's a crisis the president's created, period."

"How much time did the president spend dealing with this emerging crisis while he was on vacation? Did the fact that he was outside of Washington, D.C., have any effect on the federal government's response?"

"we can get to issues that are certainly more in the form of a crisis than a program that has enough money to have it in the form it's in for the next 50 years."

"We're demanding President Bush make a commitment to the American people that he will not pardon Scooter Libby, who was involved in this mess, nor will he pardon anyone involved in this mess,"

"a champion for the underdog who was the same kind, gracious man no matter how far he rose in Congress and in life."

"If you really want to be competitive in today's market you have to be in movies that make money."

"What's the worst that can happen? If it doesn't do well I can put on my big girl panties, deal with it and move on."

"You have to get the audience invested even if you're doing something that they think is dumb, it's kind of what these movies are all about."

"In the X-Men the women are so strong and sexy! We really kick some male butt!"

"I don't see a white woman. I see a black woman, even though my mother is white. Knowing that has made my life easier, I think."

"Career is important, but nothing really supersedes my roles as a mother."

"While being called beautiful is extremely flattering, I would much rather be noticed for my work as an actress."

"I think I am at my best when my hair is short. It's easier to take care of and more of who I am. Women are conditioned to think we need long hair."

"My style has evolved in a nice way, but everyone has bad moments."