[MonkeyMalarky]

It's to deflect liability? If you are quoting someone, you aren't the one who could be sued.

[Victerius]

Politician calls bill "horrible"

Vs.

Politician calls bill horrible

[secondcoming]

In the first, the politician actually uses the word ‘horrible’ and so it’s quoted.

In the second, the headline writer is giving their opinion/spin.

[blowski]

"Politican" calls bill horrible.