• Home
  • About Us
    • JoinCalifornia
    • Use as a Reference
  • Political History
    • 2021 Senate to Assembly District Table
    • Term Limits in California
    • Legislative Committee Reports
    • Notable No Votes
    • Redistricting
    • Scott Lay’s Sofa Degree
    • Legislative Staff
  • Nelson S. Dilworth Collection
    • California’s Military History
  • Leroy F. Greene Collection
  • Covering the Capitol
  • Article Topics
    • Top Stories
    • 2014 Election
    • 2012 Election
    • Current Research
    • Constitutional Officers
    • Congress
    • State Senate
    • State Assembly
    • Deaths

One Voter Project

The Online Home of California's Political History

November 30, 2014 By Alex Vassar Leave a Comment

The Quotable Rod Wright

Wright

There have been few legislators more fun to watch than Rod Wright. Often both funny and thoughtful, you always knew that he was speaking his mind.

Among his greatest quotes from his time in the Legislature;

QUOTABLE: During his time in the Legislature, Wright was one of the most quotable members, often serving as the go-to person for reporters to get a quote from on a variety of issues. Among his quotes:

When asked in August 2014 about how he felt about the Senate suspending him, Wright answered; “At the end of the day, the Senate has to look at protecting the institution. It’s not about me. You have to do what you perceive to be in the best interest of the institution. I respect that. … The institution is bigger than two or three members.”

When accused of being “owned by the gun lobby” after accepting campaign contributions, Wright replied “To say in 1996 that a black man is ‘owned’ by somebody is a bit over the top.”

“The last thing Jesus said, he said ‘Love everyone’–not straight people–‘love everyone, as I have loved you.” He also noted that “I don’t think anybody here can say they don’t fall short of the glory of God.”

“If what you want to do is ban handguns, then stand up and say you want to ban handguns.”

”This society no longer values parenting, we no longer value mothers. We evaluate people by how much they go out and work.”

“Everybody who is a drug addict is guilty of sales, not some people, everybody who is a drug addict is going to commit some level of sale if for no other reason to support their habit.”

In 1997, referring to a bill to ban the manufacture of “cheap” handguns; “This is an assault on poor people. Inexpensive handguns are purchased by my constituents as a means of home-protection.”

“The idea of operating a business in South Central L.A. unarmed is unfathomable… The problem is you have people with such a low regard for life.”

“If you’ve never maintained it (a gun) and you don’t know how to store it that person ought not have a gun because that’s an accident waiting to happen.”

“Social problems are never as simple as banning something. If that were so, I would have banned ignorance a long time ago.”

Speaking against gang injunctions in 1998; “When skinheads or white groups participate in unlawful activity, they’re not called gangs. No one does injunctions against them.”

“Why is there never enough time to do it right, but there’s always enough time to do it over?”

“At some point, common sense should weigh in and stupidity must be set aside.”

“When I was running for this Senate seat, people would ask me why I wanted to go back to Sacramento. Policy is my passion. If you are not doing what you love, it really doesn’t matter.”

Filed Under: Current Research, Editorial, JoinCalifornia, State Senate, Top Stories

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent News

What Happened in the 2022 Election

November 13, 2022

[Updated 12/12] That was interesting. An election season that roared by in … [Read More...]

Running Unopposed in 2022

March 26, 2022

The California State Capitol According the Notice to Candidates, issued by … [Read More...]

Dilworth Video

October 8, 2021

An introduction to the story of State Senator Nelson Dilworth and the amazing … [Read More...]

NEW BOOK: California Lawmaker 2021

February 12, 2021

From confrontations in the tense years before the Civil War to the recent work … [Read More...]

Women in Statewide Office

January 29, 2021

As an update to a post from 2018, which noted that three was the highest number … [Read More...]

Latest Tweets

  • Just now
  • More Tweets by Alex Vassar

Fun Fact

On the first day of the 2015-16 Session, the members of California Legislature had 398 years of prior legislative experience.

California Lawmaker 2021

Now Available on Amazon

Recent Posts

  • Mike McGuire to be California’s next Senate pro Tem August 29, 2023
  • 2011 Senate District to Assembly District Conversion Table (2012-2024) August 14, 2023
  • State Medals February 7, 2023
  • What Happened in the 2022 Election November 13, 2022

Copyright © 2023 · Education Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in