Address to the nation on the situation in Southeast Asia (30 April 1970); in Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Richard Nixon, 1970, p. 410
1970s
“I would rather be right than be President.”
Speech, Senate (1850), referring to the Compromise Measures.
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Henry Clay 23
American politician from Kentucky 1777–1852Related quotes
“I would rather be beaten in Right than succeed in Wrong.”
Source: Maxims of James Abram Garfield (1880), compiled by William Ralston Balch, p. 1
Source: How to Become President (1940), Ch. 1 : Government jobs pay big money
“The best of us would rather be popular than right.”
No. 44, the Mysterious Stranger (unpublished manuscript written 1902–1908)
“I would rather have a clean government than one where 'First Amendment rights' are being respected”
On the Don Imus show (28 April 2006)
2000s, 2006
Context: I work in Washington and I know that money corrupts. And I and a lot of other people were trying to stop that corruption. Obviously, from what we've been seeing lately, we didn't complete the job. But I would rather have a clean government than one where 'First Amendment rights' are being respected that has become corrupt. If I had my choice, I'd rather have the clean government.
Interview with Bill O'Reilly, 2006-09-27
2003–2007 Governor of Massachusetts
“No President has ever done more for human rights than I have.”
Ken Auletta "Fortress Bush", The New Yorker, January 19, 2004, p64
2000s, 2004