Political Quotes

“I think my friend will recall, last year I offered an amendment and the amendment was adopted banning all lobbyist and PAC contributions to Senators. It was rather interesting because that clearly cut to the core of the question of PAC contributions. However, when the lobby disclosure gift ban emerged--emerged, Mr. President, from a Democratic-controlled conference--my PAC and lobbyist contribution ban reform surprisingly had been deleted. I say to my good friend, clearly we had an opportunity last year to delete all PAC contributions. It passed the Senate, but it was not supported in a Democratic-controlled conference. The Senator from Alaska has to conclude one thing: A gift is a gift. If it is a gift associated with a charitable event, it is a gift associated with a charitable event and the merits are the charity. If it is for political purposes, it is still a gift. It is a gift if it is travel. It is a gift if it is lodging. And the justification is the political event and who benefits from the political event. Sure, we are professionals. We are professional politicians, so we obviously benefit, as opposed to a worthwhile charity out there.”