# Quote — Molly Ivins, You Got to Dance with Them What Brung You

> [On Bill Clinton] If left to my own devices, I'd spend all my time pointing out that he's weaker than bus-station chili. But the man is so constantly subjected to such hideous and unfair abuse that I wind up standing up for him on the general principle that some fairness should be applied. Besides, no one but a fool or a Republican ever took him for a liberal. (Introduction)

- Author: [Molly Ivins](https://www.leafyquotes.com/molly-ivins.md)
- Book: [You Got to Dance with Them What Brung You](https://www.leafyquotes.com/molly-ivins/you-got-to-dance-with-them-what-brung-you.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Molly_Ivins#You_Got_to_Dance_with_Them_What_Brung_You_(1998)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/molly-ivins/you-got-to-dance-with-them-what-brung-you/on-bill-clinton

## More from this book

> Personally, I think government is a tool, like a hammer. You can use a hammer to build or you can use a hammer to destroy; there is nothing intrinsically good or evil about the hammer itself. It is the purposes to which it is put and the skill with which it is used that determine whether the hammer's work is good or bad. (Introduction)

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/molly-ivins/you-got-to-dance-with-them-what-brung-you/personally-i-think.md)

> How the American right managed to convince itself that the programs to alleviate poverty are responsible for the consequences of poverty will someday be studied as a notorious mass illusion. ("Look to the Children of the Poor in This Season of Budget-Slashing", 1995)

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/molly-ivins/you-got-to-dance-with-them-what-brung-you/how-the-american.md)

> When politicians start talking about large groups of their fellow Americans as 'enemies,' it's time for a quiet stir of alertness. Polarizing people is a good way to win an election, and also a good way to wreck a country. ("Stand by, America! Newt Alert!", 1994)

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/molly-ivins/you-got-to-dance-with-them-what-brung-you/when-politicians-start.md)