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SALT LAKE CITY — The presidential race between President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney was one of the most talked about news events in 2012. Throughout the race, many things were said by some of the candidates that left the general public just shaking their head.
There are many quotes to choose from, but many of these statements had an impact in the election. The following is 10 of the best quotes of the presidential election. They are in no particular order, but nonetheless great.
Top 10 quotes:
- Newt Gingrich: At one point, Gingrich was considered a frontrunner in the Republican primaries; however, statements like the following quickly changed that. "By the end of my second term, we will have the first permanent base on the moon, and it will be American."
- Rick Santorum: Santorum, too, was considered a viable challenger to Mitt Romney, but eventually lost public support. "President Obama once said he wants everybody in America to go to college. What a snob!"
By the end of my second term, we will have the first permanent base on the moon, and it will be American.
–Newt Gingrich
- Eric Fehrnstrom (Mitt Romney adviser): The following statement was a major talking point for the Democrats, and was part of the initial attack against Romney. "Everything changes. It's almost like an Etch A Sketch. You can kind of shake it up and restart all over again."
- Ann Romney: Mitt Romney was criticized for being too stiff. As a result, his family came to his side to dispel the myth. "Stiff, he's not. He's funny. There's a wild and crazy man inside there."
- Pres. Barack Obama: Speaking to a group of supporters, Obama said the following, and likely wished he could take it back. The Republican Party and Romney used it as a major talking point throughout the race. "If you've got a buisness — you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen."
- Clint Eastwood: Here's a good idea: bring Clint Eastwood out during the Republican National Convention to say whatever he wants. As a result, you get Eastwood talking to the Invisible Obama. "What? What do you want me to tell Romney? I can't tell him to do that. That. He can't do that to himself."
- Mitt Romney: Speaking to a group of supporters in a closed-door fundraiser, Romney made the following statement, which likely hurt his campaign more than anyone will be able to determine. "There are 47 percent of people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believes that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it."
I went to a number of women's groups and said: 'Can you help us find folks,' and they brought us whole binders full of women.
–Mitt Romney
- Mitt Romney: Speaking to Jim Lehrer in the first presidential debate, Romney gave us this precious gem: "I like PBS, I love Big Bird. I actually like you, too."
- Mitt Romney: In another debate, Romney spoke about the importance of women and their role in his administration as governor. "I went to a number of women's groups and said: ‘Can you help us find folks,' and they brought us whole binders full of women."
- President Barack Obama: Addressing comments made by Mitt Romney about the military in the final debate, President Obama said the following: "Well, governor, we also have fewer horses and bayonets." Honorable mentions:
- Joe Biden: Just Joe Biden being himself. "I promise you, the president has a big stick. I promise you."
- Mitt Romney: Introducing his vice presidential nominee , Romney said, "Join me in welcoming the next president of the United States, Paul Ryan." Romney later said: "Every now and then I'm known to make a mistake. I did not make a mistake with this guy. But I can tell you this. He's going to be the next vice president of the United States."
- Ann Romney/Gov. Chris Christie: The Republican National Convention was not 100 percent perfect. The following is one example. Ann Romney gave a heartfelt speech saying her message was about love: "Tonight, I want to talk to you about love." Then, Gov. Christie addressed the nation and said the following: "Tonight, we're going to choose respect over love."
- Mitt Romney: After all the money spent and the constant bickering, Mitt Romney offered this gem in his concession speech: "I pray that the president will be successful in guiding our nation."
