“Politics is not an exact science,” said the German and Prussian statesman Otto von Bismarck on more than one occasion (sometimes adding, “It is the art of the possible”). But another masterful politician whose name ends with the letter K might beg to differ — with the “not exact” part, anyway.

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, who announced his candidacy for re-election yesterday, told me this about his relationship with the Obama administration last week (and these were his exact words): “This is working out exactly as I would want it.” Something similar he said yesterday about his job satisfaction ended up in a Southwest Journal headline: “I live exactly where I want to be, and I don’t want to go anywhere. … I am exactly where I need to be right now.”

A Lexis search reveals that, more than Mr. Minneapolis or Mr. Mayor, Rybak is actually Mr. Exact. See Rybak’s litany of exactitude after the jump.

“From what I’ve seen from [Los Angeles] Mayor [Antonio] Villaraigosa, he’s doing exactly what he’s supposed to be doing.” (Nov. 18, 2008)

“During this time of economic uncertainty, Crown Center [in Northeast Minneapolis] is exactly the kind of revitalization we need.” (Oct. 22, 2008)

“In the coming days, we will learn more about exactly what happened yesterday” about protests and policing during the first day of the Republican National Convention. (Sept. 2, 2008)

“When the bridge fell, I was shocked, but I knew exactly what to do, because we’d done all that planning.” (Sept. 1, 2008)

Vice Presidential candidate Joe Biden is “exactly what we needed at exactly the right time.” (Aug. 23, 2008)

New Minneapolis fire chief Alex Jackson is “exactly the kind of leader we need to keep our strong fire department moving forward in the right direction.” (June 9, 2008)

“His energy and passion for this issue are exactly what we need to keep this extremely important initiative moving forward.” (About Bass Zanjani, who Rybak appointed as Youth Violence Prevention Coordinator, April 14, 2008)

“I’m extremely sorry to see Johan [Santana] go. But I believe this is exactly what this incredible franchise needs to do to sign the players who are key to our future, like [Joe] Mauer and [Justin] Morneau and [Michael] Cuddyer, and build the pitching staff that has tremendous promise.” (Jan. 30, 2008)

“Having this [Juvenile Supervision] Center will help us better connect with young people heading in the wrong direction to get them back on track with exactly the right kind of support and opportunities they need to succeed.” (Jan. 18, 2008)

“We are sending that exact message today by removing Bonnie Bleskachek as Fire Chief.” (Dec. 22, 2006)

“Tim Dolan knows this community, he has the confidence of our police and he is an innovative leader who knows exactly what we need right now to make our city safe.” (Sept. 11, 2006)

“We are putting significantly more money into public safety and that is exactly what we need to do right now.” (Aug. 15, 2006)

“The new Juvenile [Crime] Unit is doing exactly what it was created to do: focus on troubled youth.” (July 20, 2006)

“Let’s be clear: our chance of success here is lower, but that’s exactly why we need to be here [in north Minneapolis].” (April 18, 2006)

“Making this happen takes work, which is exactly why we added three new city planners to engage citizens in areas like Downtown and Uptown.” (Feb. 28, 2006)

“STEP UP is doing exactly what I had hoped when I launched it in 2004 and I am very thankful for the business leaders who have helped provide jobs for our kids.” (June 24, 2005)

“Let me stop you before you finish, because I had the exact same idea.” (Said in agreement with former Police Chief Bill McManus as he explained that he was going to give Rybak a ticket for leaving his Prius running unattended, Feb. 24, 2004)