Mo-Kan pols said it in 2012:

 “When I took office, the state had just ended the last fiscal year with only $876 in the state general fund. Excuse me, 876 dollars and five cents.” — Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback.

 “A nervous breakdown on paper.” — Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver decrying proposed cuts in President Obama’s budget.

 “It’s not complicated: Sometimes I agree with him, and sometimes I disagree with him.” — Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill on Obama.

 “I just love her.” — Obama on McCaskill.

 “We have to kill the Claire Bear.” — Scott Boston, a St. Louis area activist to a Springfield crowd.

 “Started walking this morning. Gonna lose some weight.” — Kansas City Mayor Sly James.

 “This is like a guy divorcing you and saying, `Can we still date?’ I don’t think so.” — Brownback on whether KU’s rivalry with MU will continue.

 “As an added bonus of my election, just a perk to Kansas Citians, I have managed to keep it from snowing all winter.” – Mayor James in March.

 “I don’t know.” — Missouri GOP gubernatorial candidate Dave Spence when asked if Obama is Muslim.

 “We have to kill the Claire Bear.” — Scott Boston, a St. Louis area activist to a Springfield crowd.

 “Now they would honor a man who has no honor.” — Missouri Assistant House Minority Leader Tishaura Jones about the dedication of a bust to Rush Limbaugh.

 “They’re deranged.” — Limbaugh on his opponents.

 “We used to look to Missouri. We don’t anymore.” — University of Virginia’s Larry Sabato on whether Missouri is still a presidential bellwether.

 “Sarah is an economist who defends our tax dollars like a Mamma Grizzley defends her cubs.” — Sarah Palin backing GOP Senate candidate Sarah Steelman.

 “Never in state history has a sitting Kansas governor led a public campaign to oust legislators of his own party.” — Wichita State University’s Ed Flentje on Brownback.

 “There’s a war. It’s probably as bad as I’ve seen it.” — Kansas Senate President Steve Morris, a moderate, on tensions with conservatives.

 “I don’t think I could be re-elected in a primary.” — former Kansas Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker.

 “You’re going to see durable conservative majority governing Kansas for the foreseeable future.” — former Brownback aide David Kensinger.

 “It’s gone. He can’t recover.” — former Missouri Sen. Jack Danforth on Senate candidate Todd Akin in mid-August.

 “The thing is, I am just about right for Missouri.” – Akin.

 “I have no doubts now.” — Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach on the veracity of Obama’s birth records.

 “The representative we have now is reprehensible and Republican and retarded.” — retired Cass County Judge Carl Gum on Missouri Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler.

 “Keep letting him talk.” – McCaskill on her end-of-campaign strategy against Akin.

 “This thing has been a bucking bronco ride.” — Akin on the campaign.

 “Mom, this one’s for you.” — McCaskill, after her win, just days after her mother died.

To reach Steve Kraske, call 816-234-4312 or send e-mail to skraske@kcstar.com.