Quotables

"Today is a very sad day."

U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., on the repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which will allow homosexuals to serve openly in the military. "I hope that when we pass this legislation that we will understand that we are doing great damage."

"In terms of being the director of NIH, I don't think anybody who's worked with me would be able to identify a circumstance where my personal beliefs about faith have in any way interfered with my role as a scientific leader."

Francis Collins, evangelical Christian and director of the National Institutes of Health, on his faith and his work.

"Let me apologize to anybody and everybody within our listening and reading areas. I'm very sorry for missing the two votes."

Newly seated Sen. Joe Manchin, D- W.Va., on a media conference call after he was widely criticized for missing two difficult Senate votes on Dec. 19-one on the DREAM Act and one on repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," in order to attend a "holiday gathering."

"I just don't remember it as being that bad."

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, on growing up in Mississippi during the civil rights era. The former chairman of the Republican Governors Association later clarified his remarks, saying it was a "difficult and painful era" for the state.

"I don't think we need to reform tenure. I don't think there is a need for tenure."

Education reformer and former Washington, D.C., public schools chancellor Michelle Rhee, She is currently an adviser on the transition team of Republican Gov.-elect Rick Scott of Florida.