Trent Lott: “Now our candidate for the nomination, our presumptive nominee, has said he is concerned about Presidential prerogatives.…”

“Now our candidate for the nomination, our presumptive nominee, has said he is concerned about Presidential prerogatives. I understand. All Presidential candidates and Presidents worry about that. But we have a responsibility here, too. What about the prerogatives, what about the responsibility of the Congress? I think the American people want to know what is going on. They are unaware, really, of what is going on and not asking about it. They are not really aware of the commitment we have there. They don't really know that perhaps our allies are not fulfilling their commitments. They have not done it in terms of personnel or money. And why is because they do not have to. They know Uncle Sam will take care of this problem. I had occasion to meet with the President of one of our ally countries. I said: Why aren't you fulfilling your commitment? Why don't you do more? Why don't you do what you said you were going to do? Only after a brief silence, he said: You are the world leader. You are the only surviving power. It is your responsibility. That is kind of the attitude, frankly, of some of our allies--yes, you are the big guy. You have to take care of it. Yes, it is in our backyard. This is supposed to be a peacekeeping initiative. But you will handle it. We don't have to do that. In their defense, to be honest, I think because of Senator Warner's efforts, and others, because of complaints I made to some of our allies, they are beginning to do a better job.”