Out of the mouths of the presidential contenders: Obama’s and Romney’s best quotes

By Las Vegas Sun Staff (contact)

Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 | 2 a.m.

From the gaffes and applause lines to the campaign zingers and moments of pure inspiration, here is a look at the Top 10 quotes from the presidential campaign trail.

President Barack Obama:

• “Don’t boo — vote.”

• “If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you've got a business, you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen."

• “I don’t look at my pension. It’s not as big as yours. It doesn’t take as long.”

• “And the 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back because, you know, the Cold War’s been over for 20 years.”

• “Let’s prove the cynics wrong one more time. Let’s show them your vote counts. Let’s prove your voice is more powerful than lobbyists and special interests. Let’s keep the promise of this country alive — that no matter what you look like or where you come from, you can make it if you try.”

Mitt Romney:

• “Paul Ryan and I will bring real change to America, from Day One.”

• “There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. There are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. ... My job is not to worry about those people. I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives."

• “I’ve got five boys. I’m used to people saying something that’s not always true but just keep on repeating it and ultimately hoping I’ll believe it.”

• “As president, you're entitled to your own house, your own plane, but not your own facts.”

• "I learned as governor ... that the best achievements are shared achievements. I learned that respect and goodwill go a long way and are usually returned in kind. That's how I'll conduct myself as president. I'll bring people together, doing big things for the common good. I won't just represent one party — I will represent one nation."