–DNC producer Don Mischer, caught live on CNN reacting angrily to delays in the release of 10,000 balloons and confetti after Kerry’s speech (CNN anchors later apologized for the airing)

“I was outraged by the double standard applied when [Teresa Heinz Kerry] was on the front page this week for telling a reporter to go shove it. When Dick Cheney told a senator on the floor of the Senate to go f— yourself, it wasn’t on the front pages. Go Teresa, go!”

–DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe

“Our three most important issues are our children, our children, our children … The issues that affect children affect our whole society. Whether children’s parents have jobs and can provide for them, whether the air they breathe and the water they drink is clean, it makes the environment a children’s issue. The economy because jobs is a children’s issue … What issues do you think are children’s issues that you don’t hear about?”

–House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, in an interview with teen reporters

“It’s disappointing that John Kerry’s frank talk stopped with a discussion of his complexities and failed to include an explanation of his inconsistencies and contradictions on the central front in the war on terror.

–Republican campaign chairman Marc Racicot, responding to John Kerry’s convention speech

“A vote for John Kerry is a vote for John Edwards.”

–Street protestors with a sense of humor

“My father loves his country and is ready to lead it. In my father’s gut: integrity.”

–Vanessa Kerry

“To every little girl, her father is a hero. My father actually is one.”

–Alexandra Kerry

“John Kerry’s service did not end in Vietnam. It began there.”

Former senator Max Cleland of Georgia, introducing Kerry at the convention

“If George Bush wins this election, it will be the signature political event of my lifetime.”

–Political consultant James Carville

“We will have one clear unmistakable message for Al Qaeda and these terrorists. You cannot run. You cannot hide. We will destroy you.”

–Sen. John Edwards, addressing the convention on Wednesday

“Mr. President, read our lips. Our votes are not for sale.''

–The Rev. Al Sharpton, former Democratic candidate

“Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, our nation is stronger when we are respected throughout the world.”

–DNC chairman and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson

“If the person at the wheel refuses to ask for directions, it is time for a new driver.”

–Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm

“I hope it will come as no surprise that I have something to say.”

–Teresa Heinz Kerry, the notoriously outspoken spouse of presumptive nominee John Kerry, as she began her remarks at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday night

“Strength and wisdom are not opposing values.”

–Bill Clinton on John Kerry’s ability to fight terrorism

“This is America, where everything is still possible.”

–John Edwards, vice-presidential nominee