“We have a primary for the first time in 70 years, and we know it’s one not popular with the voters.”

— Washington state Elections Director Nick Handy, preparing for the Sept. 14 primary election in which voters will have to confine themselves to one party’s candidates or the others.

“The only thing I want in life is my little government headstone. It’s either that or kick me on the side of the road like a dead squirrel.”

— Vietnam veteran John Kirby, commenting on Idaho’s establishment of the state’s first veterans cemetery.

“I kind of like the eighth or ninth spot. We did a lot of damage from there.”

— Senior Cougar safety Hamza Abdullah, after Washington State University’s football team was predicted to finish third in the Pac-10 Conference this fall.

“If your neighbor sees you got a good response, they’ll report something they might not have reported before.”

— Spokane Valley Police Chief Cal Walker, explaining his belief that responsive police service gives victims more confidence to report crimes.

“Next thing I knew, she pushed me into the cement wall, calls for backup and puts handcuffs on me.”

— EPA scientist Stephanie Willett, explaining her arrest for chewing the last of a candy bar in a District of Columbia Metro Transit station where food and beverages are prohibited.

“We are meeting our national priorities and, by showing spending restraint elsewhere in the budget, we are on track to meet the president’s commitment to cutting deficits in half (over the next five years).”

— White House spokesman Scott McClellan, quoted by the Associated Press following news reports that this year’s federal budget deficit is forecast to be a record $445 billion.

“The only determination I made was that I was unable to make a determination.”

— Oregon fire investigator Ken Janes, under cross-examination after testifying in an arson trial that he couldn’t conclude a warehouse fire in Fairfield, Wash., was arson-caused.

“I never thought I would win a second one or a third one. I’m humbled by the event.”

— American bicyclist Lance Armstrong, after winning his sixth Tour de France.