RICHARD NIXON: 1913-1994 : VOICES : From Newsmakers

“Nixon remains the most fascinating figure I’ve ever met in politics . . . endlessly complex . . . large weaknesses but a man that shaped our public life for nearly five decades. I never met anyone who climbed so many mountains and landed in so many valleys.”

--David Gergen, adviser to President Clinton

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“Kissinger had it right. (Nixon) would’ve liked to have read and reread all the favorable reviews that he’s had this last week.”

--Dan Quayle, vice president from 1989 to 1993

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“He was a hell of a guy. Playing golf you learn a lot about a guy’s character. His was a great character.”

--Bob Hope

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“I wanted to come out to say goodby. I called his office when I heard he became ill, and I said we needed him in the fourth quarter. I called and asked if I could come over and pray for him. But the Secret Service said I couldn’t. I prayed for him and others prayed for him anyway. . . . He always had a way of bouncing back.”

--Roosevelt Grier, former Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman

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“It was a very moving and wonderful tribute, something he would have enjoyed. He was a man who had a strong following. A lot of people forget that there were a lot of people willing to work for him. He was very deeply admired. He was a representative of the people. He was a strong man and he admired strength. I think he had faults as any man or woman does, but he rose above them.”

--Caspar Weinberger, defense secretary in the Reagan Administration

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“I don’t think today’s the day to mention Watergate. Today’s the day to talk about Nixon’s durability, his indomitability, the things that made Richard Nixon what he is. You don’t forget your friends. Richard Nixon and I had been friends for 30 years. . . . Everybody has their ups and downs. He never stayed down for the count. You never counted him out.”

--Senate Minority Leader Robert Dole (R-Kan.)

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“President Nixon was a man who always worked for world peace.”

--United Nations Undersecretary Gen. Ji Chaozhu, who first met Nixon in China in 1972

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“Richard Nixon was a man of vision, diplomacy and dedication. He was also a man who shared the same bond and love with me for the game of baseball. No matter the events or circumstances surrounding his life, he always knew not only where all of the teams were in the standings, but he could talk to you at length about the history of the game, players, statistics and the nuances. He was a true student of the game, as well as a fan, and I always felt he would have been an outstanding commissioner of baseball. I will miss him very much.”

--Gene Autry, former actor and owner of the California Angels

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“It was reconciliation, was it not? I’m glad our country is over this.”

--U.S. Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-N.Y.)