Touchy Feely

David Brooks, a columnist for the NY Times, complains about politicians who love to press the flesh:

I sat next to a Republican senator once at dinner and he had his hand on my inner thigh the whole time. I was like, ehh, get me out of here.

That can't be an actual quote of something Brooks said.
It must be a quote of what went on in his head.

And I'm left wondering why
he didn't loudly declare, "Get your hand off my thigh."