Reince Priebus on caterpillars and more political quotes of the week

Take a look back at quips, quotes and quarrels that drove the debate in politics this week.

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RNC Chairman Reince Priebus on the so-called 'war on women'

"Well, for one thing, if the Democrats said we had a war on caterpillars, and mainstream media outlet talked about the fact that Republicans have a war on caterpillars, then we have problems with caterpillars. The fact of the matter is it's a fiction."

Chris Usher / AP

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on President Obama's comments on the Supreme Court and the health-care law

"Respectfully, I would suggest the president back off. Let the court do its work. Let our system work the way it was intended. The stability of our system and our laws and our very government depends on it. "

J. Scott Applewhite / AP

Mitt Romney on President Obama's 'hot mike' comments

"He does not want to share his real plans before the election, either with the public or with the press. By flexibility, he means that what the American public doesn’t know won’t hurt him. He is intent on hiding. You and I will have to do the seeking."

Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP

President Obama on the Ryan budget plan

"Disguised as a deficit reduction plan, it's really an attempt to impose a radical vision on our country. It’s nothing but thinly veiled social Darwinism."

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Rick Santorum after the week's primaries

"We have now reached the point where it's halftime. Half the delegates in this process have been selected, and who's ready to charge out of the locker room in Pennsylvania for a strong second half?"

Jeff Swensen / GETTY IMAGES

Herman Cain speaking about a potential running mate for Mitt Romney

“I think that enthusiasm gap is going to be the biggest challenge that we’re going to have, because of the primary, because of all of the unpredictability. I just want to see someone who’s going to bring some excitement to the ticket."

Charlie Neibergall / AP

Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, who will investigate the misuse of federal money at a 2010 GSA conference costing $823,000

“The Las Vegas fiasco is just the tip of the iceberg.”

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, on Marco Rubio as a VP candidate

"He speaks to my heart in a way that I think is important. He understands ... about the pillars of American exceptionalism, the underpinnings of what made this a great country."

Former Arizona state lawmaker Russell Pearce, who authored the state's immigration law, on Romney's immigration policy

"His immigration policy is identical to mine. Attrition by enforcement. It’s identical to mine -- enforce the laws. We have good laws, just enforce them."

Tim Hacker / AP

President Obama on the health-care decision

“Ultimately, I am confident that the Supreme Court will not take what would be an unprecedented, extraordinary step of overturning a law that was passed by a strong majority of a democratically elected Congress.”

Win McNamee / GETTY IMAGES

Mitt Romney, on being caught off-guard by a staff April Fools day prank

“It’s completely empty! There’s nobody there. I thought, ‘Oh, boy, this is gonna look really bad on the evening news, let me tell you.’”

Steven Senne / AP

FEATURED PHOTO GALLERIES

HOUSTON, TX—APRIL 25: Naomi Haskell poses for a portrait with her son, Spencer, 19, at her home in suburban Houston, Texas, on Thursday, April 25, 2013. Since he was diagnosed with a type of schizophrenia two years ago, her focus has been on keeping him well. (Photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

A mom and her son face the challenge of mental illness

Naomi Haskell helps her son Spencer deal with the challenges presented by his schizophrenia. She spends her days torn between worry and hope...

ANNAPOLIS MD: MAY 24
The Class of 2013 culminates their commissioning ceremony with the hat toss, a traditional ending to the ceremony, originated at the Naval Academy in 1912. The 'hat toss' has since become a symbolic and visual end to the four-year program. Photographed at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland on May 24, 2013.
(Photo by Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)

They tossed their caps in Annapolis

The 2013 Class of the U.S. Naval Academy holds its graduation and commissioning ceremonies. President Obama spoke at the graduation.

PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 19: Mark Melancon #35 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the eighth inning against the Houston Astros during the game on May 19, 2013 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pirates defeated the Astros 1-0. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

MLB power rankings

Barry Svrluga assesses the best teams in Major League Baseball through Thursday.

epa03714567 A Thai Buddhist family take an offering of lotus flowers to pay respects to a giant Buddha surrounded by more than 1,000 smaller Buddha statues at a Buddhism Park, on Vesak or Visakha Bucha day, in Nakhon Nayok, north of Bangkok, Thailand, 24 May 2013. Buddhist devotees throughout the world offer blessings at temples to mark one of the holiest days in Buddhism, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and the death of Buddha. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

Photos of the day

Buddhist Wesak festival, prisoners-of-war reunion, bridge collapse, world’s largest Lego model and more.

SILVER SPRING MD: MAY 18
from left to right, Bodybuilders Jorge Villatoro, Sidney Bumbrey, Eric Holmes and Ron Coleman show off their most muscular poses for the judges at the 2013 Musclemania - Capital Tournament of Champions Contest held at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center in Silver Spring, Maryland on May 18, 2013.
(Photo by Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)

Flexing their muscles

Dozens of bodybuilders came out to Silver Spring to compete in the 2013 Musclemania Capital Tournament of Champions.

epa03714543 US actress Carmen Electra arrives for the Life Ball gala, at the airport Schwechat, in Vienna, Austria, 24 May 2013. The 21th Life Ball, an annual fundraising charity event for HIV and Aids projects, takes place at the Vienna City-Hall on 25 May 2013. EPA/HERBERT NEUBAUER

Eye on entertainment

Carmen Electra, Barbara Eden, Sharon Stone, Goldie Hawn, Jaden Smith and more.

MOORE, OK - MAY 24: A 'For Sale' sign hangs in a tree in a storm ravaged neighborhood on May 24, 2013 in Moore, Oklahoma. The tornado of EF5 strength and two miles wide touched down May 20 killing at least 24 people and leaving behind extensive damage to homes and businesses. U.S. President Barack Obama promised federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Assessing tornado damage in Oklahoma

Amid great destruction, residents of the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore begin to assess the severity of the twister that hit Monday.

WASHINGTON DC: MAY 22
Contestant Travis Rumans, 31 dances with his beloved glow sticks for talent at Penn Social in Washington, DC on May 22, 2013. The contestants help raise over $15,000 for the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
The Mr. DC pageant is a fundraising event to benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
The qualifications for the Mr. District of Columbia finalists is that they must live, work and attend school in the District of Columbia between the ages of 21-30 who are unmarried, intelligent, and dapper in a suit.
(Photo by Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)

Mr. D.C. Pageant contestants compete for charity

Contestants in the Mr. D.C. Pageant, a fundraising event, helped raise more than $15,000 for the Children’s National Medical Center.

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