“If you’re looking for morals in politics, you’re looking for bananas in the cheese department”

American actor, comedian and radio host Harry Shearer has been credited since 2008 for a political saying:
 
“Democrats always like to brag that their guys are smarter than the opponents and Republicans always like to brag that their guys are more moral than the opponents. But if you’re looking for morals in politics you’re looking for bananas in the cheese department.”
 
In October 2004, Shearer had written in The Guardian (UK):
 
“Democrats generally revel in the conceit that they’re smarter than their opponents, while Republicans assure themselves they’re more moral than the other guys.”
 
The punch line—“If you’re looking for morals in politics, you’re looking for bananas in the cheese department”—is missing. It’s probable, however, that Shearer said it in the media in October 2004.
 
   
Wikipedia: Harry Shearer
Harry Julius Shearer (born December 23, 1943) is an American actor, comedian, writer, voice actor, musician, author, radio host, director and producer. He is known for his long-running roles on The Simpsons, his work on Saturday Night Live, the comedy band Spinal Tap and his radio program Le Show. Born in Los Angeles, California, Shearer began his career as a child actor, appearing in The Jack Benny Program, as well as the 1953 films Abbott and Costello Go to Mars and The Robe.
 
The Guardian (UK)
The trouble is, only one of them can lose
Harry Shearer
Sunday 31 October 2004 17.20 EST
(...)
Democrats generally revel in the conceit that they’re smarter than their opponents, while Republicans assure themselves they’re more moral than the other guys. But, Bush is not the idiot liberals like to think. He’s got a kind of reptilian cunning, and Rove taps right into that political lizard brain. Combined with fervid Methodism, you’ve got ruthless certainty. Bush also has excellent speech writers, and knows how to stick to the script.
     
Candy Hearts and Paper Flowers   
June 22, 2008
Monday Musings {9}
I just found it amusing that I found two bananas/cheese quotes. It’s the kind of thing in life you only expect to find one of:
 
“Democrats always like to brag that their guys are smarter than the opponents and Republicans always like to brag that their guys are more moral than the opponents. But if you’re looking for morals in politics you’re looking for bananas in the cheese department.”
~Harry Shearer
 
Health Diaries
10 Quotes About Bananas
Last updated on November 22, 2009
(...)
“Democrats always like to brag that their guys are smarter than the opponents and Republicans always like to brag that their guys are more moral than the opponents. But if you’re looking for morals in politics you’re looking for bananas in the cheese department.” – Harry Shearer
 
Twitter
Cindy O’Neil
‏@cindyoyo
If you’re looking for morals in politics you’re looking for bananas in the cheese department.  - Harry Shearer
8:39 PM - 28 Apr 2010
 
Twitter
Jewish Comedians
‏@JewishComedians
Harry Shearer: If you’re looking for morals in politics you’re looking for bananas in the cheese department. | #Quotes
10:23 PM - 23 Dec 2015