Brothers & Sisters

The series of character check-ups that have taken over this blog will continue tomorrow with a look at Tommy — but as sometimes seems to happen on the show, today Balthazar Getty’s getting bumped in favor of Rob Lowe. This time, it’s just to wish a happy 44th birthday to the actor, who was born on this day in 1964 in Charlottesville, Virginia.

In honor of the occasion, I’ve gone back through the memorable lines round-ups for this past season-and-a-dozen, and picked out some choice bits of senatorial dialog. Did I miss one of your favorites? Add it in the comments. (And if you still want to engage in some checking-up today, go back to the post before this one and respond to Colleen’s comment about the show’s middling use of music. I’ll get to it eventually, too.)

From “Mistakes Were Made Part 2″

I have an idea. How about instead of grilling me on my private and intensely painful public divorce on national television, I take you out for an espresso.

From “Family Day”

I’m beginning to think you have either low self esteem or you’re relentlessly fishing for compliments.

See these shoes? I bought them on the Internet. Sight unseen, never had a problem with them. I’m a very good judge of quality, Miss Walker. I know things are going to fit.

What disqualifies you apart from your lack of experience?

From “Sexual Politics”

Taking care of people is not feminine, it’s a privilege and an honor.

My intentions were noble, albeit my execution was lame, ill-conceived and thoughtless.

From “Valentine’s Day Massacre”

There’s still a few hours left in Valentine’s Day. I think we should go find all the happy couples and, you know, throw things at them.

If we both feel the same way about each other, why should I go? And if you say it’s because you work for me, or you’re on a man cleanse, or because I’m recently divorced, or whatever other excuse you’re going to come up with, then I’m here to tell you, you’re about to be out-argued. Because while you were down there dining, I was coming up with a list of counterpoints.

From “Love Is Difficult”

He hates me. In his last editorial he said I wasn’t as smart as Hilary Clinton, but I was prettier.

This is the field office of the junior senator from California, not the lunchroom at Malibu High.

From “Favorite Son”

I think I came off as the love child of Winston Churchill and Dan Quayle.

Justin, I know your feelings about the war have changed. And in many ways, so have mine. But that doesn’t change the fact that you’re a soldier and you have a job to do. Your unit needs a good medic and you gotta be there for them because when you’re over there, they are your brothers and sisters. You gotta love them, you gotta protect them, but you can’t do it unless you’re prepared.

From “An American Family”

I think America’s looking for somebody who knows the difference [between right and wrong]. And the only way to do that is by listening, not antagonizing. My future in-laws are very different from me, and very different from each other, and so they are, by definition, my greatest asset, because they remind me that we are all part of a larger American family, and that no one is irrelevant, and no one should be ignored. And Luther, I think the bigger question is not why I feel a part of them, but why you don’t.

From “History Repeating”

I am not going to beg my ex-wife not to discuss an affair that I never had.

Do you have any idea how much the electorate loathes politicians right now? It has been crooks, lawyers and hypocrites since … the Salem witch trials! I’m not getting down in the muck while insisting that faith and honor be restored to American politics!

From “Domestic Issues”

You’re okay with the tie? Because they’re telling me it’s as important as my position on the Middle East.

(Of champagne) Think of it as ginger ale, only more fun.

With all due respect, a nuanced position is different from no position.

I’d like to go back to Governor Adamson’s comments on my fiancee. Apparently, he believes that this party should be open only to those who share his own very conservative views. And you know, Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves. Teddy Roosevelt was a conservationist who founded our national parks. Dwight Eisenhower used federal troops to desegregate the schools. All of these men were Republicans. And as for bringing my fiancee’s personal views into this, you know Clayton, you’re fine at invoking family values, well, I value my family. And so I’d appreciate it if you debated me instead of my loved ones. Because, as I think we all can attest, our decision to run for president is much harder on them than it is on us.

From “Two Places”

It’s hard to be mad at you when we’re having a puppy.

My fiance and I lost our baby less than 24 hours ago, and we just cancelled our wedding. I have to fly to New Hampshire to talk to the Family Taxpayer’s Associations. I haven’t had a minute to think about what just happened until I was in the hospital waiting room. You know what I was thinking? That I never wanted the baby. I have two kids of my own already, and I thought I was done. And I never told Kitty. And I can’t tell Kitty. And I don’t know if God is giving me what I want, or punishing me, or both. So Isaac, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to ignore your advice, I haven’t quite reached your level of sober pragmatism. Before I can spin what’s just happened to Kitty and I, I’m going to need just about two hours to feel like crap.

From “36 Hours”

Offended? I’m not offended. Racism offends me. Wasteful government spending offends me. This, well, this is just bad strategy.

Look, I’m warning you. Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness again. I am the most ambitious man you will ever meet.

From “Holy Matrimony!”

Kitty, I ask you to marry me. To say I love you seems inadequate, because I cannot imagine my life without you. Because when I’m cynical, you give me hope. In times where I felt I was losing my way, you’ve been my guidepost. I love you more with each passing day, and so I give you my hand, my heart, and my love.

Kitty, I know that there are no guarantees in this world. We could wake up tomorrow and it could all go to hell. But whatever happens, good or bad? I want you with me. Okay?

_{Photo: ABC.com}