Polunsky, Rowe, Hildebrand, and Pelosi

Texas Public Safety Commissioner Allan Polunsky, on the fire that destroyed the Governor's Mansion: "This is likely not the finest hour for the department."

Frederick "Shad" Rowe, quoted in the Austin American-Statesman after Gov. Rick Perry had him removed from the Texas Pension Review Board: "I presumed I had built up enough credibility that I could 'tell it like it is' without worrying about politics. I believe underfunded public pensions and other expensive promises represent a fiscal time bomb. Those at risk — pensioners and taxpayers — deserve nothing less than total candor."

Steve Hildebrand, deputy campaign manager for Barack Obama, in Politico: "Texas is a great example where we might not be able to win the state, but we want to pay a lot of attention to it. It's one of the most important redistricting opportunities in the country."

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, asked by Newsweek who ought to be on Obama's list for potential vice presidents: "Chet Edwards [D-Waco] is a person that many of us think would be a good person to have in the mix. We want the House in the mix, as well."