Most Americans could not give a flying flip about politicians in Washington. Who cares? Most of us are in cheap suits with bad haircuts. Who cares? 

Ted Cruz in his marathon speech on the Senate floor

Wendy Davis filibustered for women's health. Sen. Cruz filibustered against people having health care.

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio

You can feel the Cruz effect all over the state.

Konni Burton, a conservative Republican running to succeed Wendy Davis, quoted in The Associated Press

It ought to be a shock to all of us, as a nation and a people. It ought to obsess us. It ought to lead to some sort of transformation.

President Barack Obama, eulogizing 12 people in a shooting rampage at the Navy Yard in Washington

He’ll be overwhelmingly re-elected. Sometimes there is smoke where there is fire, or other times it is a smoke machine. So those who say that there is criticism of Sen. Cornyn, I think that’s a smoke machine.

Republican consultant Bryan Eppstein on criticism of U.S. Sen. John Cornyn during the Obamacare defunding fight

Would you contact the high wealth individuals you know, and even those who might not know you but whom you know live in your area, or are in your line of business or industry?

Republican comptroller candidate Debra Medina, in an emailed fundraising appeal

Stopping bad things is a significant public service. 

Cruz, quoted in GQ