What's the best political quote of 2009?

When you work in broadcasting, you're always looking for the perfect sound bite to sum up the story you're working on that day. During the news gathering process, the hunt is always on: who will sum up the spirit of the story in 15 seconds or less? Or in more general journalism terms: who's going to give us the headline?

As New Year's approaches, we're reflecting on the best political clips (quotes) of the year. What one-liners best captured the political issues and events of 2009?

We've started a list, but we need your help.

What do you think is the political quote of the year? After Christmas, we'll compile a complete list with your help, and ask you to choose your favorite(s). Use the comments section (below) to share your best ideas.

Here are some of our favourites so far:

"But it's sexy... Radioactive leaks. Cancer."
- Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt, caught on audiotape speaking to her press aide in late January, speaking about the isotope shortage caused by the shutdown of the AECL nuclear reactor at Chalk River. The recording became public last June, after the press aide left her tape recorder in a bathroom on Parliament Hill, and it was given to a reporter. An embarassed Raitt apologized for her remarks.

"I told you it is the biggest political scandal. The secret is, it is seven in one."
- German-Canadian Karlheinz Schreiber, speaking to reporters on his way in to testify at the Oliphant Commission Inquiry into his relationship with former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, April 14

"I wouldn't say my judgement is flawless."
- Brian Mulroney, speaking about his decision not to put the cash he received from German-Canadian businessman Karlheinz Schreiber into a bank account, creating some kind of paper trail, under questioning by counsel Richard Wolson at the Oliphant Commission Inquiry, May 15

"It was absolutely delicious."
- Governor General Michaëlle Jean, after trying seal heart for the first time during a traditional feast celebration in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut on May 26. Jean suggested raw seal meat was "like sushi."

"We are going through a deeper economic slowdown than anticipated."
- Finance Minister Jim Flaherty on May 26, announcing that this year's federal deficit would top $50 billion. In late 2008, Flaherty expected continued budgetary surpluses, and gradually revised his figures and forecasts as conditions worsened.

"We are putting this government on probation."
- Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, announcing that Liberals would support the Harper Conservative's budget after all, despite the coalition agreement reached late in 2008 between the Liberals, the New Democrats and the Bloc Quebecois.

"We have a new coalition on Parliament Hill. It's a coalition between Mr. Harper and Mr. Ignatieff."
- NDP Leader Jack Layton, after Michael Ignatieff announced the Liberals' conditional support for the Tories' January budget.

"After four years of drift, four years of denial, four years of division and four years of discord, Mr. Harper, your time is up."
- Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, speaking to his caucus at their summer meeting in Sudbury on September 1. By late fall, the Liberals were again supporting the government on confidence votes.

"I get by with a little help from my friends."
- Prime Minister Stephen Harper, singing on stage at the National Arts Centre gala, October 4.

"We have not seen a single scintilla of proof."
- Defence Minister Peter MacKay, speaking about Richard Colvin's allegations about the torture of detainees in Afghanistan, in the House of Commons on November 23.

"I'm not waffling. I'm skating."
- Liberal MP Bob Rae, scrummed by reporters on Parliament Hill about the Liberal Party's position on the HST, November 27.