Verbatim: Nov. 29, 2004

"Well, Britain gave its support, but I did not see much in return. I am not sure it is in the nature of our American friends at the moment to return favors systematically."

JACQUES CHIRAC, President of France, on the war in Iraq

"As part of the pay grade around here, there are lots of problems. You learn to develop a hide a little thicker than a rhinoceros."

SENATOR ARLEN SPECTER, of Pennsylvania, on resistance in Congress to his heading the Judiciary Committee because of his pro-choice record

"If you drive a Volvo and you do yoga, you are pretty much a Democrat. If you drive a Lincoln or a BMW and own a gun, you're voting George Bush."

KEN MEHLMAN, manager of Bush's re-election campaign, characterizing the divide in the electorate

"He was a natural, and he made it look easy. Oh, how I hated him for that."

GEORGE H.W. BUSH, of Bill Clinton's political skills, at the opening of Clinton's presidential library in Arkansas

"The events at last night's game were shocking, repulsive and inexcusable."

DAVID STERN, NBA commissioner, describing the Nov. 19 brawl between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons

"People think because you make fuzzy, cute little cartoons that you are fuzzy and cute, and they try to take advantage of you."

MICHAEL EISNER, Disney CEO, testifying about ex-president Michael Ovitz in a shareholders' suit to win back some of Ovitz's $140 million severance package

"People think they can all be pop stars, high-court judges, brilliant TV personalities or infinitely more competent heads of state without ever putting in the necessary work or having natural ability."

PRINCE CHARLES, describing an employee who has charged the royal household with sex discrimination and unfair dismissal

Sources: BBC; New York Times (3); NBA.com Los Angeles Times; Reuters