Verbatim
'I'm not retiring until every American agrees with me.' RUSH LIMBAUGH, conservative radio talk-show host, on his unprecedented new contract, estimated at $400 million
'Now we're encouraging kids to talk to their parents--and grandparents.' DR. SHARON LEE, medical director of HIV Wisdom for Older Women, on having youth teach their elders about safe sex as STD-infection rates rise in people 45 and older
'This is the greatest match I've ever seen.' JOHN MCENROE, three-time Wimbledon champion, after Rafael Nadal (right) defeated Roger Federer in the longest men's singles final in the tournament's history--4 hr. 48 min.
'I'm tired of seeing Christians back down in fear of a lawsuit.' ANDRE BAUER, lieutenant governor of South Carolina, on concerns that federal courts will stop the state's plan to issue the country's first-ever Christian license plates
'I thought I had the picket fence.' CHRISTIE BRINKLEY, supermodel, testifying during her divorce trial about discovering husband Peter Cook's affair
'The issue is trust and confidence.' ROBERT MAGINNIS, retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, after releasing a study on the military's "Don't ask, don't tell" policy, saying homosexuality does not affect a soldier's ability to serve
'I'm not going to sit here and psychoanalyze the man.' GEORGE W. BUSH, on his initial meeting with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev; after first meeting Medvedev's predecessor, Vladimir Putin, Bush said he came away with a "sense of his soul"
Back & Forth
War over Withdrawal
Barack Obama's comment that he might rethink his stance on the Iraq war drew fire from Republican rival John McCain, who claims the Democratic presidential nominee is shying away from his proposed 16-month phased withdrawal
JULY 2
'I'm sure I'll have more information and will continue to refine my policies.'
Obama, on his plan to talk with ground commanders during an upcoming trip to Iraq
JULY 3
'Now that Barack Obama has changed course and proven his past positions to be just empty words, we would like to congratulate him.'
Brian Rogers, McCain spokesman, saying Obama has adopted McCain's position of a long-term presence in Iraq
JULY 5
'I was a little puzzled by the frenzy that I set off.'
Obama, rejecting the Bush Administration's "stay-the-course" policy
JULY 5
'What's really puzzling is that Barack Obama still doesn't understand that his words matter.'
Tucker Bounds, McCain spokesman
JULY 6
'The Republicans, and John McCain specifically, are trying desperately to get away from the reality of John McCain's position.'
John Kerry, U.S. Senator, calling McCain's attacks a diversion
JULY 8
'His statements were seen as a blunder at best and a flip-flop at worst.'
Roger Simon, of Politico, describing Obama's trip to Iraq as a political trap
JULY 9
'I have been as crystal clear now as I was a year ago.'
Obama, saying he would end the war carefully but deliberately
For daily sound bites, visit time.com/quotes
Sources: New York Times; TIME.com AP; CNN; ABC News; AP; New York Times