not from the sublime to the ridiculous -- from the very ridiculous to simply the ridiculous.

From the sublime to the ridiculous is but a step.

All through his life, he swung between the ridiculous and the sublime,

There is only one step from the sublime to the ridiculous.

I will be one of those who will be greeting the president, respecting the office of the presidency, recognizing that the State of the Union message is a normal protocol for the American people, and will extend the courtesy that is necessary,

It was an attempt, a bold attempt, one that succeeded in some respects to obstruct the justice sought by a fellow American citizen. That is heavy. That is soul-searching in its quality. That goes beyond those who would say, 'He committed perjury about sex so what,'