Thomas, Parker, Obama, Morgan, Paul, and Eversole

Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas, quoted by the Associated Press after ordering a mandatory evacuation of Galveston Island: "This is a very hard call for me to make but our intent is to save lives. We believe it is best for people to leave."

Lauren Parker, a Galveston college student who evacuated for Hurricane Rita came three years ago, quoted by The Wall Street Journal: "I don't think it'll be that bad. I'd rather drown than wait in traffic."

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, sparking several days of political conversation: "John McCain says he's about change, too. And so I guess his whole angle is, 'Watch out, George Bush. Except for economic policy, health-care policy, tax policy, education policy, foreign policy and Karl Rove-style politics, we're going to really shake things up in Washington. That's not change. That's just calling some — the same thing something different. But you know, you can't, you can put lipstick on a pig. It's still a pig."

Adele Morgan, a singer, songwriter, and friend of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's since grade school, quoted in The New York Times: "That's an Alaska woman for you. She can pee in the woods, then put on lipstick and go out to dinner."

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Surfside, telling the Houston Chronicle his supporters wouldn't stand for an endorsement of Republican John McCain for president: "I don't enjoy getting 2 to 3 million people angry at me."

Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole, quoted in the Houston Chronicle about an FBI investigation of his use of campaign funds: "I've said all of my career the biggest problem is people want to help an elected official. And there is a point that you have to say, 'Stop. I can't do this. You're going to get in trouble. I'm going to get in trouble.'"