Taxi Driver (1976) · 49 quotes
Tied for 3rd most-quoted character in Taxi Driver (1976): in 4 of its 49 quotes
A line from Senator Charles PalantineWalt Whitman, that great American poet, spoke for all of us when he said: 'I am the man. I suffered. I was there.' Today, I say to you, We Are The People, we suffered, we were there. We the People suffered in Vietnam. We the People suffered, we still suffer from unemployment, inflation, crime and corruption.
Senator Charles Palantine When we came up with our slogan, 'We are the People,' when I said let the people rule, I felt that I was being somewhat overly optimistic. I must tell you that I am more optimistic now than ever before. The people are rising to the demands that I have made on them. The people are beginning to rule. I feel it is a groundswell. I know it will continue through the primary. I know it will continue in Miami. And I know it will rise to an unprecedented swell in November.
Senator Charles Palantine We meet at a crossroads in history. No longer will the wrong roads be taken.
I'm one of your biggest supporters, you know. I tell everybody that comes in this taxi that they have to vote for you.
Palantine Why thank you - [Pleased, he glances to check Travis' picture, identification and license posted in the rear seat] - Travis.
I'm sure you're gonna win sir. Everybody I know is gonna vote for ya. You know in fact, I was gonna put one of your stickers in my taxi but you know, the company said it was against their policy. But they don't know anything, you know. They're a bunch of jerks.
Palantine Let me tell you something. I have learned more about America from riding in taxi cabs than in all the limos in the country...Can I ask you something, Travis?
Sure.
Palantine What is the one thing about this country that bugs you the most?
Well, I don't know. I don't follow political issues that closely, sir. I don't know.
Palantine Oh but there must be something.
Well. [He thinks] Whatever it is, you should clean up this city here, because this city here is like an open sewer you know. It's full of filth and scum. And sometimes I can hardly take it. Whatever-whoever becomes the President should just [Travis honks the horn] really clean it up. You know what I mean? Sometimes I go out and I smell it, I get headaches it's so bad, you know...They just never go away you know...It's like...I think that the President should just clean up this whole mess here. You should just flush it right down the ****in' toilet.
Palantine Well, uh, I think I know what you mean Travis. But it's not gonna be easy. We're gonna have to make some radical changes.
Damn straight.
Palantine Nice talkin' to you, Travis. [They shake hands]
Nice talking to you sir. You're a good man. I know you're gonna win.
