Political Quotes

Bill Bennett: I rise to pay tribute to the two Johns-- Chafee of Rhode Island and Breaux of Louisiana--for the leadership they have…

On the recordApril 30, 1996
I rise to pay tribute to the two Johns-- Chafee of Rhode Island and Breaux of Louisiana--for the leadership they have shown and for the tenacity which they have maintained throughout this process. As I go home to Utah, I have two reactions from people, as they go through the process and go through what we have done here. The first one that comes from people, who are, perhaps, more partisan than some others, is to find some aspect of this thing and complain. ``How can you, Senator Bennett, support''--fill in the gap--and the reaction is, ``No, I do not support that. You are right, I campaigned against that.'' ``Well, how can you stand here and say that this was a good thing that you have been involved in?'' And then we get to the second reaction, which comes from many of the same people, but includes a broader spectrum, and it is summarized, ``Can you guys not get your act together back there and solve some of these problems?'' ``Why are you so partisan that you cannot address the fundamental issues of the country.'' ``Instead of a Democratic or Republican solution,'' one of my constituents said, ``is there not an American solution?''
Said by
Bill Bennett

Editor's note · Context

Paying tribute to Senators Chafee and Breaux while discussing public reactions to partisan politics.

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