Perspectives

" On Nov. 4 we must stand up and say, 'Eight is enough'."
Sen. Barack Obama, during his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver

"You know, I've been called a maverick, someone who marches to the beat of his own drum. Sometimes it's meant as a compliment and sometimes it's not."
Sen. John McCain, accepting the GOP's presidential nomination in St. Paul, Minnesota

"They cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment."
Obama, speaking to donors in California about rural Midwestern voters who were supporting his primary rival Sen. Hillary Clinton. The remark fueled claims that Obama was a liberal "elitist."

"You know who voted for it? You might never know. That one."
McCain, referring to Obama during a debate, in regard to a Senate bill sponsored by President Bush. The remark was taken to be indicative of McCain's dismissive attitude toward his rival.

"[Sarah Palin] knows more about energy than probably anyone else in the United States of America … And, uh, she also happens to represent, be governor of a state that's right next to Russia."
McCain, after being asked about his vice presidential candidate's foreign-policy experience

"Joe sometimes engages in rhetorical flourishes."
Obama, on the proclivity of his running mate, Joe Biden, toward verbal gaffes, like claiming that the Democratic candidate will be "tested" by the world soon after taking office