Ed Koch

People get tired of you. So they decided to throw me out. And so help me God, as the numbers were coming in, I said to myself, 'I'm free at last.' ”

The Republicans are coming - make nice. ”

Twelve years ago, if someone attacked me, I wouldn't let them get away with it. I'd take them on. I now perceive my job to include allowing people to vent their rage. ”

It happens that I'm heterosexual, but I don't care about that. I do care about protecting the rights of 10 percent of our population who are homosexual and who don't have the ability to protect their rights. ”

I think I have a very good reputation amongst the gay population and among the whole country because I stood up on the issue of gay rights. It is not easy to stand up on that issue when you are single and male in New York City. I did it anyway. ”

When all are wrong, everyone is right. ”

I changed the city of New York. I gave people back their morale. ”

You punch me, I punch back. I do not believe it's good for one's self-respect to be a punching bag. ”

I probably enjoy campaigning more than most other people in public office because I like people and I enjoy going out there and telling people what I've done. ”

I like to think that I'm one of the few people in public life who write their own material. I write every word. And I really enjoy writing - especially my political commentary. ”