As they see it.

• Position: Political leaders

"Democrats say it was God saying we didn't spend enough, and Republicans say is was because we spent too much."

--New Hampshire Representative Neal Kurk, in the Associated Press, on the timing of a lightning strike that forced evacuation of the statehouse moments after agreement was reached on a budget deal that Kurk called a "long, heated debate."

"I'm used to putting handcuffs on people. But I'm willing to wear them if that's what it takes."

--Arizona Representative and former sheriff's deputy Russell Pearce, in Capitol Media Services, on his intention to attend an immigration summit at which the Department of Public Safety warned he and other legislators would not be welcome.

"As long as I get married, I'm not too worried."

--Minnesota Representative Katie Sieben, in the Associated Press, as a special session on the budget went into it's seventh week, threatening to conflict with her wedding, planned for the second weekend in July.

"I am a strong believer in this "what gets measured gets done' kind of notion."

--U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, as quoted in The New York Times in an address to the American Federation of Teachers.

"That's 30 days less of people eating out."

--Gilbert Mendoza, an assistant restaurant manager in Juneau, on his view of a ballot initiative that, if adopted, would reduce the sessions of the Alaska legislature to 90 days.

"But...