Verbatim

'These new threats--as during the time of the Third Reich--are the same contempt for human life and the same claims of exceptionality and diktat in the world.'

VLADIMIR PUTIN, President of Russia, obliquely likening U.S. foreign policy to that of the Third Reich

'It would be brilliant if he won because, for one thing, he is related to me, and also it would be good for the village.'

HENRY HEALY, a resident of Moneygall, a tiny village in Ireland that genealogists have found was home to one of Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama's ancestors

'And I would ask the Congressman to withdraw that comment and tell us that he didn't really mean that.'

RUDY GIULIANI, Republican presidential candidate and former mayor of New York City, during the second G.O.P. presidential debate, responding to a comment by Representative Ron Paul of Texas, who appeared to suggest that the U.S. invited the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks by invading Iraq in the early '90s

'I must admit I can't imagine anything more awful than polygamy.'

MITT ROMNEY, the Mormon seeking the Republican presidential nomination, whose great-grandfather was a polygamist

'Not only are we not asleep at the switch, but we are very much at the helm and managing our business.'

MARGARET SPELLINGS, Secretary of Education, referring to a comment by New York attorney general Andrew Cuomo, who said the department had been "asleep at the switch" when it came to overseeing the student-loan industry

'I believe I'd have my father's blessing.'

DALE EARNHARDT JR., announcing that at the end of the year he will leave the company founded by his late father, a move that is certain to ignite an intense bidding war for NASCAR's most popular driver

Sources: New York Times; Washington Post; New York Times; Reuters; AP; ESPN