In the beginning, I thought it would just be promotion of a cause. Then it dawned on me: When you win elections and you win delegates, that’s how you promote a cause.

Ron Paul in his speech on Saturday after finishing fourth in South Carolina

I am concerned that the unfortunate results of Perry’s performance on the national stage may confirm the stereotype that much of the rest of the country has about Texas — the impression that Texas is a bunch of yahoos and people of low intelligence. A lot of us just want to throw up our hands and say, ‘We’ve been a very successful state.’ It’s been a successful story down here, and I’m afraid we’ve taken one step forward and three steps back.

Scott Caven, Rick Perry's former campaign finance chairman, in The New York Times

I don’t get the sense that it’s all for campaign purposes because I have had the opportunity to be involved before.

San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro on his invitation to attend the State of the Union address

These oppressive summer temperatures, no water in rivers and lakes, burn bans… all of those things conspire to keep people inside as opposed to going outside.

Carter Smith, executive director of Texas Parks & Wildlife, on an 8.4 percent drop in revenue from park visits.

It’s a little bit of karma and a little strange. Now we have all these blondes and all these Aggies telling Rick Perry jokes. Certainly, the best minds we have today don’t get into politics.

Kinky Friedman in The Dallas Morning News