Peaks, valleys of political speech in 2008

With politicians running in 11 statewide races and the presidential circus in town, voters and reporters were paying attention to every word that was said.

The politicians didn't disappoint, either, turning in some of the most memorable one-liners, gaffes and statements they often later regretted.

Below, some of the choice quotes from the year in politics:

"There is no God!"

-- An unnamed female voice in an ad Oct. 29 by Sen. Elizabeth Dole's campaign criticizing Democratic Senate candidate Kay Hagan for attending a fundraiser hosted by a member of the Godless Americans PAC.

"My campaign is about creating jobs and fixing our economy, not bearing false witness against fellow Christians."

-- Kay Hagan, in a rebuttal ad after Dole's "godless" ad.

"When you're making ads that say 'There is no God,' it usually means your campaign doesn't have a prayer."

-- Republican political consultant Alex Castellanos, criticizing Dole on CNN on Oct. 29.

"And yes, we pledged allegiance to an America united as one nation, under God."

-- Elizabeth Dole, in her concession speech Nov. 4, recalling an earlier campaign event that began with the Pledge of Allegiance.

"Her unconventional beauty, her sense of humor and her blinding intelligence are engraved in my mind."

-- J. Lee Harris, a nurse supervisor at John Umstead Hospital, on hospital director Patsy Christian, who paid Harris $250 from a donation for an oil painting. From a statement issued by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on May 29.

"This lady right here makes Rocky Balboa look like a pansy."

-- Gov. Mike Easley endorsing Hillary Clinton on April 29. Over the next two days, he received 683 e-mail messages about the endorsement, including many critical of the use of the word "pansy."

"Barack Obama was doing something in the neighborhood; I won't say what he was doing, but he said it in his book."

-- Charlotte Bobcats owner and Clinton supporter Robert Johnson at a campaign rally in Columbia, S.C., on Jan. 14. At first Johnson claimed he was referring to Obama's time as a community organizer, though many understood it was a reference to drug use. Johnson later apologized.

"I'll beat Michael Phelps in swimming before Barack Obama wins North Carolina."

-- South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, introducing McCain at a rally in Fayetteville on Oct. 28.

"I'd rather be a bum on the boxcar of the Obama train than at the front of the bus with John McCain."

-- Easley, introducing Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama at a speech in Raleigh on June 9. Easley, who had previously endorsed Clinton, said he knew he was "late to the train."

"I don't answer that question anymore. I answered it one time and it got me in tremendous trouble. I've got a job I enjoy and I'm not in search of a new job. Period."

-- U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, asked by a Washington-based newspaper if he would agree to be McCain's vice-presidential running mate, in a story published May 12.

'It's a lot better than what's going on in Iraq, where people shoot each other to settle things.'

-- John K. Wiles, an attorney for the State Employees Association of N.C., denying that a proposal to drop a lawsuit against state Treasurer Richard Moore was bribery, on June 12.

"So it is fitting that this great patriot left us on the Fourth of July."

-- President George Bush, in a statement on the death of Jesse Helms, on July 4.

"I am happy to have my position, duties and responsibilities reviewed."

-- First lady Mary Easley, after her $79,000 raise at N.C. State University raised questions about the college's habit of giving large pay raises without the approval of the UNC Board of Governors. Quoted on July 10.