Your week in political quotes

(LIN) – There were some lighter moments in Wednesday night’s GOP presidential debate, but they were sprinkled in with some attacks and humbling moments.

" Because he's a fake. Haha! " --2012 candidate and Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, during the Arizona GOP presidential debate on why his campaign aired television advertisements calling fellow candidate and former Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., fake.

" I have to admit, I voted for that [The No Child Left Behind Act], it was against the principles I believed in, but you know, when you're part of the team, sometimes you take one for the team, for the leader, and I made a mistake. You know, politics is a team sports, folks. " --Santorum, in the Arizona GOP presidential debate.

" Cheerful. " --2012 candidate and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Pa., on one word he would use to describe himself during the Arizona GOP presidential debate.

" Let's not forget that four years ago, well after Romneycare was put in place. Four years ago, you not only endorsed me you went on Laura Ingraham and said 'now this is the guy who is really conservative and you can trust him.’ Let's not forget you said that. " --2012 presidential candidate and former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., to Santorum, during the Arizona GOP presidential debate.

" He should just write a check and shut up. I'm tired of hearing about it. If he wants to give the government more money, he's got the ability to write a check -- go ahead and write it. " --Gov. Chris Christie, R-N.J., on billionaire Warren Buffett’s stance to raise taxes on wealthy Americans.

" This day has been a long time coming. The idea for a museum dedicated to African Americans first put forward by black vets of the Civil War...call picked up by members of civil rights generation...who knew how to fight for what is right and how to strive for what is just. " --President Barack Obama, speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the future Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

"They mock Gov. Palin, you mock Gov. Palin, as weak and unable to cope and press forward. And the movie and the trailer…say that. And yet look with your own eyes at what she and her family have endured and inspired over the last few years. Any lesser man would have hanged himself by now. So who's weak?"--Meg Stapleton, a former spokeswoman for Sarah Palin, telling reporters that the upcoming HBO movie "Game Change," about the former vice presidential candidate, is "sick" and inaccurate. She said she has not seen the film.

"The massacre in Syria goes on. It is time we gave them the wherewithal to fight back and stop the slaughter."--Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in comments during a visit to Cairo, where he urged Washington and its allies to find way to help arm and equip Syrian rebels.

"We don't control Washington. Democrats still control Washington — they control the Senate, and they control the White House."--Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., the top negotiator on the pay roll and jobless benefits legislation.

"I think everyone learned a lot from the end-of-the-year stuff. Everything doesn't have to be a fight."--Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., after Congress approved payroll tax cut and jobless benefits legislation.