The Words That Mattered in 2010

Like other years, 2010 can be understood by examining its most memorable and meaningful quotations. The year almost-past appears distinctive for its well-placed profanity (though, surprisingly, none of it from Rahm Emmanuel) and for words that mattered in war, society, sports, and politics. Here are ten quotes from 2010—in chronological order—that best reflect what happened and what it meant.

“It comes down to integrity.” —Admiral Mike Mullen, February 2
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Mullen appeared before a Senate committee alongside Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and together they provided the strongest military push for the U.S. to shed the policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT). Despite widespread opposition to the policy throughout the nation, the Congress, and even the military, DADT remained in place until its repeal by Congress last week. This allowed the United States to leave the company of Cuba, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, as a nation that prohibits open homosexuals from serving in their country's military.

‘This is a big f***in’ deal”—Vice President Joe Biden, March 23
The signing of landmark health care legislation was characterized by Biden succinctly, profanely, and accurately, when he introduced President Obama at the signing ceremony for the bill.

“…a s***ty deal” —Senator Carl Levin, April 27
Michigan's senior senator repeatedly rode the S-Train in a hearing on possible securities fraud in mortgage trading by Goldman Sachs. During the hearing, Levin pointedly questioned company executives with references to an internal memo that described its own product with this less than flattering term.

“…a bleeding ulcer…”—General Stanley McChrystal, May 24
With American involvement in Iraq decreasing and commitment in Afghanistan increasing in 2010, the focus on Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, became more intense. McChrystal quickly made news by describing the difficulty of countering Taliban activity in southern Afghanistan as a "bleeding ulcer." He claimed this quote was taken out of context, but the following month he was on record ridiculing U.S government officials and diplomats in an article in Rolling Stone. McChrystal soon resigned his position and he was replaced with General David Petraeus.

"I want my life back."—BP CEO Tony Hayward, May 20
“…so I know whose ass to kick.” —President Barack Obama, June 7
Video of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was ubiquitous in the late spring and with reports of this ecological disaster came some key quotes. Hayward provided the year's worst apology by expressing the toll the crisis had taken on him and President Obama, charged by critics for being too calm in the face of this disaster, explained to NBC's Matt Lauer that he was consulting scientists and others to fairly and effectively determine who should be held accountable. Neither guy emerged from this situation very well, though at least Obama still had his job.

“I am going to take my talents to South Beach” —Lebron James, July 8
The destination of NBA free agent superstar Lebron James was exhaustively covered, even by the often insatiable standards of hardcore sports fans. It culminated in a live ESPN special, nauseatingly entitled "The Decision," in which James expressed his choice to play for the Miami Heat, breaking the collective hearts of long-suffering Cleveland sports fans back in his native Ohio. Judging by its early usage and popularity, this quote may prove to have the greatest longevity of any from 2010. Chances are if you know someone traveling to Miami, that person has joked, "I am going to take my talents to South Beach."

"…Second Amendment remedies."—Senate candidate Sharron Angle
The midterm elections provided big gains in Congress for Republicans and for those who enjoy memorable quotes. Despite much analysis noting the runaway success of the Tea Party movement, two of its boldest stars lost what most observers considered very winnable races for the GOP. Angle offered her provocative suggestion for how to solve some of the nation's ills during a radio interview and the quote dogged her throughout her tight race in which she fell to Harry Reid.

"I'm not a witch."—Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell
O'Donnell, the surprise winner of the GOP primary in Delaware after a career most notable for being a professional virgin and frequent guest on Bill Maher's "Politically Incorrect" during the 1990s, tried to undo perceived damage from a clip from Maher's show in which she described a teenage dabbling in Wicca. She later made another ad, this time ripping the Ivy League education and inherited wealth of her opponent. Each of the ads finished with the tagline "I'm You." Though frequently mocked, O'Donnell was right. She was me. Like O’Donnell, I am not a witch. I did not attend Yale, either. And on November 2, neither she nor I was elected to the Senate.

“…a shellacking…"—President Barack Obama, November 3
Despite these high-profile losses for the Republicans, the midterm elections were a blow to President Obama. He acknowledged this reality during a press conference the next day, his expression conveying a clear sense of sadness and his words a clear sense of voter rejection. Obama's experience with was reminiscent of President Lincoln's during his first term 148 years earlier, when his Republican party had suffered similar misery at the polls. The following day Lincoln was asked how he felt. He replied, “Somewhat like that boy in Kentucky, who stubbed his toe while running to see his sweetheart. The boy said he was too big to cry, and far too badly hurt to laugh.”

The most important words of 2011 have yet to be spoken, but they will undoubtedly have an enormous influence—as they did in 2010—on the events that matter.