Elizabeth McCord quotes from Madam Secretary

Daisy

Let me know when I'm oversharing. I've been alone with the baby for a long time.

Elizabeth

As a rule, just pull back when you find yourself wanting to share the color or texture anything.

Russell

Hurst was the only person who could deliver us Pennsylvania. I would have sold my own mother to get those electoral votes.

Elizabeth

Does Conrad know?

Russell

I make promises so he doesn't have to.

Elizabeth

Did you tell Teresa Hurst that you would support her campaign if she ran for president?

Teresa Hurst is a fine public servant. We just happen to like you better.

Henry

We have the best system of government the world has ever seen, but it's only as good as the people in charge.

Elizabeth

Gosh, that's reassuring.

Henry

Should I even ask how your day was?

Elizabeth

Well, the Constitution is still intact...for now.

Elizabeth

I can't feel my ears!

Henry

Maybe you should've worn a hat.

Elizabeth

I can't. I'm wearing fancy hair. Men never get that.

Elizabeth

[about Jason] He's just a teenager, and we are a little less now. It's nature's way of making him leave the house when he graduates.

Henry

Yeah. That didn't work out so well with the other two.

Henry

They want to give me a commendation for some reason.

Elizabeth

Like, because you deserve it?

Henry

Yeah, or they know I was driven to quit by political BS. They didn't back me up, and now they want to make themselves feel better.

Elizabeth

Yeah, no. The CIA doesn't really do regret.

Elizabeth

Well, for an acting president, she's suddenly reluctant to act.

Russell

Yeah, it happens when they're new to office. The reality sinks in.

Henry

There's never been a more important time for us to insist our son to treat women with respect.

Elizabeth

You are preaching to the choir. [checks the kids aren't around] But sticking your nose into teenage romance? That way lies madness.

Elizabeth

[to Blake] Henry and I are going to go eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the freezing cold park. This is what passes as a date night these days.

Henry

Don't wait up for us.

Going to see that family was reckless and stupid.

Elizabeth

You know, you asked me how I did it. I wasn't trying to do anything, just what I thought was right.

I already said, stupid.

Elizabeth

You found hard evidence?

Sometimes it's like you don't even realize you're insulting me.

Matt

With the oh-so-original title "Tackle-gate."

Elizabeth

You know, how about we just retire "blank-gate" as a construction altogether?

Daisy

Bad news, ma'am.

Elizabeth

We're trying to rise above labels now, and calling it all just "news."

Daisy

Yeah, have fun with that.