I’m turning it over to Will tonight. Whether you read these quotes as advice, lighthearted comments or comedy, you’ll be entertained.
“Just arrived back home in Oklahoma in time to solve the problem of too much cotton in the South. Let everybody put it in their ears to keep from hearing campaign speeches.” (DT #61, Oct. 23,1926)
“Democrats are attacking and the Republicans are defending. All the Democrats have to do is promise ‘what they would do if they got in.’ But the Republicans have to promise ‘what they would do’ and then explain why they haven’t already done it.” (DT #1917, Sept. 26, 1932)
“In regard to their stomachs, (voters) go to the polls, and if it’s full, they keep the Guy in that’s already in, and if the old Stomach is empty, they vote to chuck him out.” (Saturday Evening Post, March 30, 1029)
“Coolidge made less speeches and got more votes than any man that ever run. (William Jennings) Bryan was listened to and cheered by more people than any single human in politics, and he lost. So there is a doubt just whether talking does you good or harm.” (DT #673, Sept. 21, 1928)
“You know the more you read and observe about this Politics thing, you got to admit that each party is worse than the other. The one that’s out always looks the best.” (WA #3, December 31, 1922)
“When you straddle a thing, it takes a long time to explain it.” (Convention Articles, June 29, 1924)
“America has the best politicians money can buy.” (Undated notes)
“In this country people don’t vote for, they vote against.” (Radio, June 9, 1935)
“If you ever injected truth into politics you have no politics” (WA # 31, July 15, 1923)
“Politics has got so expensive that it takes lots of money to even get beat with nowadays.” (DT #1538, June 28, 1931)
“So much money is being spent on this campaign that I doubt if either man [or woman], as good as they are, are worth what it will cost to elect him.” (DT #687, Oct. 8, 1928)
“This country has gotten where it is in spite of politics, not by the aid of it. That we have carried as much political bunk as we have and still survived shows we are a super nation.” (DT #1948, Nov. 1, 1932)
Back to me. I’ll fly to Oklahoma Thursday for a Will Rogers awards program (our little book will receive the Maverick Award) and to celebrate his birthday early. Back to Ohio Sunday night. On Nov. 4, Will Rogers will be 147 years old.