Ed Koch‘s outspoken off-the-cuff style made for many memorable quotes — and many that hurt the former mayor’s standing. Here are some of his classic lines.
‘If they want a parade, let them parade in front of the oil drums in Moonachie.’
(After denying the 1987 Giants a Super Bowl parade in Manhattan’s Canyon of Heroes)
‘I’m not the type to get ulcers, I give them.’
‘If you don’t like the President, it costs you 90 bucks to fly to Washington to picket. If you don’t like the governor, it costs you 60 bucks to fly to Albany to picket. If you don’t like me — 90 cents.’
‘The knife of corruption endangered the life New York City. The scalpel of the law is making us well again.’
‘If you agree with me on nine out of 12 issues, you should vote for me. If you agree with me on 12 out of 12 issues, you should see a psychiatrist.’
‘The people have spoken … and they must be punished.’
(Responding to a supporter who asked if he’d run again after his defeat in 1989)
‘Have you ever lived in the suburbs? … It’s sterile. It’s nothing. It’s wasting your life, and people do not wish to waste their lives once they’ve seen New York! … This rural American thing — I’m telling you, it’s a joke.’