Molly Ivins: Take Their Money
on Thursday, January 28, 2021Molly Ivins Money Quote saying if you’re not hard-charging and unyielding, you probably don’t belong in Texas politics . Molly Ivins said:
“As they say around the Texas Legislature, if you can’t drink their whiskey, screw their women, take their money, and vote against ’em anyway, you don’t belong in office” — Molly Ivins
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In this colorful quote, Molly Ivins seems to be satirizing the “good old boy” political culture in Texas. By stating one must be able to “drink their whiskey, screw their women, take their money, and vote against ’em anyway” to hold office, Ivins implies that traditionally, Texas politicians were expected to socialize and accept financial support from wealthy special interests but still maintain independence in their votes.
The quote conveys Ivins’ perspective that true representation requires serving the public interest above all else, rather than being beholden to donors or the social elite. Overall, she appears to be advocating for political integrity over cozying up to power brokers through a wryly humorous lens that skewers the superficial aspects of backroom deal-making and influence-peddling.