Verbatim 2004

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"I earned capital in the campaign, political capital. And now I intend to spend it. That's my style."
GEORGE W. BUSH, in a press conference after his victory in the Nov. 2 presidential election

"If they don't have the guts, I call them girlie men."
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Republican Governor of California, complaining about Democrats whom he claimed were delaying his budget proposal, in a joking reference to bodybuilders on American TV show Saturday Night Live

"We did not lose. We were just short of votes."
MEGAWATI SUKARNOPUTRI, former President of Indonesia, on her defeat in the country's first direct presidential election

"I was always certain that if I ever found myself in the position that I am in today, I would follow my inner voice. Today, that voice tells me I must humbly decline this post."
SONIA GANDHI, president of India's Congress Party, turning down the position of Prime Minister after her party was voted into power

"Your government failed you. Those entrusted with protecting you failed you. And I failed you."
RICHARD CLARKE, former counterterrorism chief for U.S. Presidents Clinton and Bush, opening his testimony to the 9/11 commission by apologizing to families of the victims of the attacks

"The detainee begged Graner, 'Mister, mister, please stop.'"
JEREMY SIVITS, former U.S. Army reservist, testifying about abuse of inmates at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq

"In 2005 we have the opportunity for an historic breakthrough in relations between us and the Palestinians ... This is the hour, this is the time. This is the national test."
ARIEL SHARON, Israeli Prime Minister, speaking at the annual Herzliya conference, on his renewed optimism for peace following the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat