--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I told the Congress, 'Thanks, but no…" description: "\"I told the Congress, 'Thanks, but no thanks,' on that Bridge to Nowhere.\" — Sarah Palin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc3/sarah-palin-1441_bridges_i-told-the-congress-thanks-but-no-thanks_3168601.png" --- # I told the Congress, 'Thanks, but no thanks,' on that… ![“I told the Congress, 'Thanks, but no thanks,' on that Bridge to Nowhere.” quote by Sarah Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc3/sarah-palin-1441_bridges_i-told-the-congress-thanks-but-no-thanks_3168601.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc3/sarah-palin-1441_bridges_i-told-the-congress-thanks-but-no-thanks_3168601.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc3/sarah-palin-1441_bridges_i-told-the-congress-thanks-but-no-thanks_3168601.png) > “I told the Congress, 'Thanks, but no thanks,' on that Bridge to Nowhere.” [Sarah Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She declines a proposal, using a metaphor of an unproductive bridge, indicating refusal without gratitude. **In simple terms:** Declines politely, likens it to a useless bridge. Key Takeaway Say no with courtesy. Themes politics refusal metaphor Mood defensive assertive Type political public speaking When to use this quote - policy proposals - political negotiations - media appearances Key Concepts public statements decision making Questions to Reflect On - Why choose that metaphor? - What are the implications of a polite refusal? A Different Perspective May be seen as dismissive; metaphor could confuse listeners. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bridges/) [Congress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/congress/) [Gratitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratitude/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) ## Related quotes > [My golf-loving friend Bob Hope asked me what my handicap was, so I told him - the Congress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/my-golf-loving-friend-bob-hope-asked-me-what-my-handicap-was-so-i/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [ President \[Barack\] Obama and Hillary Clinton are proposing bringing tens of thousands of Syrian refugees to this country when the head of the FBI… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/president-barack-obama-and-hillary-clinton-are-proposing-bringing/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [We forced Richard Nixon and the Congress who established, and thanks to your leadership, we supported you and we got the Environmental Protection Act…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/we-forced-richard-nixon-and-the-congress-who-established-and-thanks/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [WHEREAS it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/whereas-it-is-the-duty-of-all-nations-to-acknowledge-the-providence/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Instead of finding himself in nerd heaven—where every nerd gets fifty-eight virgins to role-play with—he woke up in Robert Wood Johnson with two broken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junot-diaz/instead-of-finding-himself-in-nerd-heaven-where-every-nerd-gets-fifty/) [Junot Diaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junot-diaz/) > [Instead of building castles against your enemies, build bridges for them to come to you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/instead-of-building-castles-against-your-enemies-build-bridges-for/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Al Pacino and Jeff Bridges do it for me in a big way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-scanlon/al-pacino-and-jeff-bridges-do-it-for-me-in-a-big-way/) [Angela Scanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-scanlon/) > [By the time they were pulling into the parking lot of the A&P, the mood was fading, the moment gone. 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Yet, good teachers often help students cross that bridge, and I have to say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-glass/nothing-teaches-great-writing-like-the-very-best-books-do-yet-good/) [Julia Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-glass/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) ## More by Sarah Palin > [They're our next-door neighbors, and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/they-re-our-next-door-neighbors-and-you-can-actually-see-russia-from/) [Sarah Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/) > [RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION is a manual and a call to action for awakened patriots who are too intelligent to believe the leftist media lies and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/righteous-indignation-is-a-manual-and-a-call-to-action-for-awakened/) [Sarah Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/) > [I'm very, very pleased to be cleared of any legal wrongdoing, any hint of any kind of unethical activity there. Very pleased to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/i-m-very-very-pleased-to-be-cleared-of-any-legal-wrongdoing-any-hint/) [Sarah Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/) > [A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location. I'm not one though who would attribute it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/a-changing-environment-will-affect-alaska-more-than-any-other-state/) [Sarah Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/) > [Children with special needs inspire a special love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/children-with-special-needs-inspire-a-special-love/) [Sarah Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/) > [Gov. Romney has claimed to have created 100,000 jobs at Bain and people are wanting to know, is there proof of that claim? And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/gov-romney-has-claimed-to-have-created-100-000-jobs-at-bain-and/) [Sarah Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/) > [“...Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He can recite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/not-yet-dry-behind-the-ears-not-old-enough-to-buy-a-beer-but-old/) [Sarah Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/) > [To reduce deficit spending and our enormous debt, you reign in spending. You cut the budget. You don't take more from the private sector…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/to-reduce-deficit-spending-and-our-enormous-debt-you-reign-in/) [Sarah Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/) > [This is Reagan country. Yeah! And perhaps it was destiny that the man who went to California's Eureka College would become so woven within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/this-is-reagan-country-yeah-and-perhaps-it-was-destiny-that-the-man/) [Sarah Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/) > [I believe that there is a God's plan for this world, and that plan for this world is for good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/i-believe-that-there-is-a-god-s-plan-for-this-world-and-that-plan-for/) [Sarah Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/) > [Abraham Lincoln suggested never presume to know what God's will is, and I would never presume to know God's will or to speak God's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/abraham-lincoln-suggested-never-presume-to-know-what-god-s-will-is/) [Sarah Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/) > [Take a stand, America! You deserve better. Resolve to live life vibrantly by looking to family, faith, and freedom in this new year!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/take-a-stand-america-you-deserve-better-resolve-to-live-life/) [Sarah Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/) > [The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down syndrome will have to stand in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/the-america-i-know-and-love-is-not-one-in-which-my-parents-or-my-baby/) [Sarah Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/) > [Let me go back to a comfortable analogy for me - sports... basketball. I use it because you're naive if you don't see the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/let-me-go-back-to-a-comfortable-analogy-for-me-sports-basketball-i/) [Sarah Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/) > [I want to make a toast to all at this press event who agree with Thomas Jefferson, who said that our liberty depends on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/i-want-to-make-a-toast-to-all-at-this-press-event-who-agree-with/) [Sarah Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/) [Explore all 241 Sarah Palin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/) ## More Bridges quotes > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) > [Nothing teaches great writing like the very best books do. Yet, good teachers often help students cross that bridge, and I have to say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-glass/nothing-teaches-great-writing-like-the-very-best-books-do-yet-good/) [Julia Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-glass/) > [In my rear view mirror the sun is going down sinking behind bridges in the road and I think of all the good things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-waters/in-my-rear-view-mirror-the-sun-is-going-down-sinking-behind-bridges/) [Roger Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-waters/) > [My first big mistake was made when, in a moment of weakness, I consented to learn the game; for a man who can frankly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-benchley/my-first-big-mistake-was-made-when-in-a-moment-of-weakness-i/) [Robert Benchley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-benchley/) > [The WPA was one of the most productive elements of FDR's alphabet soup of agencies because it put people to work building roads, bridges,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/the-wpa-was-one-of-the-most-productive-elements-of-fdr-s-alphabet/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The sense that in this universe we are treated as strangers, the longing to be acknowledged, to meet with some response, to bridge some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-sense-that-in-this-universe-we-are-treated-as-strangers-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you walk, try to think nothing! You can then obtain the silence of a streetlight or a bridge; stop thinking; after that, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/when-you-walk-try-to-think-nothing-you-can-then-obtain-the-silence-of/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [By the time they were pulling into the parking lot of the A&P, the mood was fading, the moment gone. Amy could feel it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-strout/by-the-time-they-were-pulling-into-the-parking-lot-of-the-a-p-the/) [Elizabeth Strout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-strout/) > [Al Pacino and Jeff Bridges do it for me in a big way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-scanlon/al-pacino-and-jeff-bridges-do-it-for-me-in-a-big-way/) [Angela Scanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-scanlon/) > [Instead of building castles against your enemies, build bridges for them to come to you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/instead-of-building-castles-against-your-enemies-build-bridges-for/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Instead of finding himself in nerd heaven—where every nerd gets fifty-eight virgins to role-play with—he woke up in Robert Wood Johnson with two broken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junot-diaz/instead-of-finding-himself-in-nerd-heaven-where-every-nerd-gets-fifty/) [Junot Diaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junot-diaz/) > [Each person is an island unto himself, in a very real sense; and he can only build bridges to other islands if he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-rogers/each-person-is-an-island-unto-himself-in-a-very-real-sense-and-he-can/) [Carl Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-rogers/) > [The real test of a bridge player isn’t in keeping out of trouble, but in escaping once he’s in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-sheinwold/the-real-test-of-a-bridge-player-isn-t-in-keeping-out-of-trouble-but/) [Alfred Sheinwold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-sheinwold/) > [The law ... allows rich as well as poor to sleep under bridges.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatole-france/the-law-allows-rich-as-well-as-poor-to-sleep-under-bridges/) [Anatole France](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatole-france/) > [Guys like Todd Bridges never overcame being a child star. You can't have any big failures. I've always felt regular. I played organized ball…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bow-wow/guys-like-todd-bridges-never-overcame-being-a-child-star-you-can-t/) [Bow Wow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bow-wow/) [Browse all 1,521 Bridges quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bridges/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I told the Congress, 'Thanks, but no thanks,' on that Bridge to Nowhere.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sarah Palin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/i-told-the-congress-thanks-but-no-thanks-on-that-bridge-to-nowhere/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bridges" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/i-told-the-congress-thanks-but-no-thanks-on-that-bridge-to-nowhere/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc3/sarah-palin-1441_bridges_i-told-the-congress-thanks-but-no-thanks_3168601.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc3/sarah-palin-1441_bridges_i-told-the-congress-thanks-but-no-thanks_3168601.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc3/sarah-palin-1441_bridges_i-told-the-congress-thanks-but-no-thanks_3168601.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I told the Congress, 'Thanks, but no thanks,' on that Bridge to Nowhere.” — Sarah Palin", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sarah Palin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I told the Congress, 'Thanks, but...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/i-told-the-congress-thanks-but-no-thanks-on-that-bridge-to-nowhere/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/i-told-the-congress-thanks-but-no-thanks-on-that-bridge-to-nowhere/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```