It was a $5,000 contribution that I had received from them. I raise about $30 million. And if you’re saying that I can be bought for $5,000, I’m offended.

Gov. Rick Perry, responding to Michele Bachmann during a debate. She suggested his HPV mandate was tied to a contribution from Merck, the maker of the vaccine.

It became pretty obvious early on that the truth didn't matter. You could make the truth at the mic. You could say whatever you wanted to say and depending on what was being reported, that was the truth.

Rep. Jose Aliseda, R-Beeville, on his freshman legislative session.

I don't know whether it's hubris, chutzpah or hallucination, but the problems she has make her the most vulnerable. If there's any statewide Republican nominee that would be vulnerable, it would be Susan Combs.

Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, who expects to run against Combs for lieutenant governor in 2014.

He's not going to get it, if I plan on giving it, until he asks. Bush asked me. Mitt Romney asked me in the back room. I don't give people endorsements unless they ask.

Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, on whether he'll endorse Perry's presidential bid.

Let's not pretend the state didn't know the racial implications of what they were doing. They knew it at every click of the mouse in drawing the map.

Redistricting lawyer Gerry Hebert, quoted by the San Antonio Express-News