WIST Quotations

McCarthy, Eugene -- “McCarthy’s First Law of Politics”

Dave — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:19:54 +0000

Never say anything in a national campaign that anyone might remember.

Eugene McCarthy (1916–2005) American politician, poet, activist
“McCarthy’s First Law of Politics”

Quoted in John Leo, "Wit is the Opiate of Politics," US News & World Report (26 Nov 1990)

McCarthy, Eugene -- (Attributed)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

The only thing that saves us from the bureaucracy is its inefficiency.

Eugene McCarthy (1916–2005) American politician, poet, activist
(Attributed)

McCarthy, Eugene -- Comment (1968)

Dave — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 12:43:11 +0000

Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think it’s important.

Eugene McCarthy (1916–2005) American politician, poet, activist
Comment (1968)

McCarthy, Eugene -- Quoted (1979-02-12), “People: On the Record” section, Time Magazine

Dave — Thu, 29 May 2008 10:47:05 +0000

The only thing that saves us from the bureaucracy is inefficiency. An efficient bureaucracy is the greatest threat to liberty.

Eugene McCarthy (1916–2005) American politician, poet, activist
Quoted (1979-02-12), “People: On the Record” section, Time Magazine

(Backup Source). See Truman (1959).