[greglepore]

Libel and slander are specific legal terms, both of which require the actor to "publish" an untrue statement which tends to damage the reputation of another-libel is written disparagement, slander spoken. It is completely impossible for a quote to be either.

If you said it, why should you be ashamed to be quoted on it, unless completely out of context (and I'll admit my ignorance on this point, as I can't bring myself to read the polarized political debate on this board).