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# Celebrity and campaign quotes on citizenship, voting and the 2008 race
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/s-t-r-a-y-talk-20080202/
- Published: 2008-02-02T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T18:18:30.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homeless

“All of you people born here, if you had to take that test - well, Canada would be building a fence right now.” — Craig Ferguson, the Scottish-born host of CBS’ “Late Late Show,” on getting a perfect score on his U.S. citizenship test “My position is still up in the air. There is a problem in the American voting system: The most qualified people don’t have the chance to become president.” — Santa Monica resident Brian Frates expressing his political opinion in front of the CNN Election Express Yourself caravan, which was sent out along the campaign trail to gauge public opinion on the upcoming presidential elections “There’s a lot more responsibility with this one than with an Oscar, which all you really have to do is, you know, drink after the party.” — Actor George Clooney on feeling honored with the role of U.N. messenger of peace bestowed on him by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon “Well I say to her and I say to all those who are struggling in this country, we will never forget you. We will fight for you. We will stand up for you.” — Democrat John Edwards, referring to a homeless woman with whom he spoke before announcing his resignation from the presidential race. Edwards pledged to continue bringing attention to what he calls the “two Americas” - one for the powerful, one for those without “Our job is to make people take us for granted. If that happens, then everything is running as it is supposed to and that means we are doing our jobs.” — Craig Perkins, director of environmental and public works management for Santa Monica, who’s stepping down after 25 years “He’s a joy to work with and an excellent kisser.” — Actor Jeremy Piven on his “Entourage” costar Rex Lee who plays his assistant, Lloyd, on the HBO comedy “I understand health care is a national problem. I also understand the UC has the money to pay.” — Lakesha Harrison, president of the Local 3299, regarding UCLA Medical Center and Orthopedic Hospital’s offer to provide its employees with health care at the same cost as what other UC employees pay. Service workers and medical technicians are currently striking for wage increases and better healthcare benefits.

“They came into the house with an agenda and are trying to look like the heroes after all the dirty work has been done. Their main worry is being financially cut off.” — Sam Lutfi, Britney Spears’ companion, referring to the singer’s family. Spears was recently hospitalized for a mental evaluation at UCLA.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 2, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/020208.pdf?ref=smdp.com)