Political Quotes

“Because the Secretary of Defense and the Defense Department in May of this year had suggested to the administration the desirability of these kinds of tests. When the issue went to the National Security Council and the highest counsels, including the President, the Defense Department recommendations were shelved, they were overruled. As a result, we are not going to go forward with these tests, although the most recent Defense Department document in July of this year, which I can quote to you, does refer to the continuing open issue as to whether we should go forward. But in any event, I find it interesting that this is the same Secretary of Defense who was so relied upon yesterday in the debate on missile defense and find it ironic that some people on the floor were suggesting that the reason we did not need missile defenses is because we could rely upon our triad, our nuclear triad. You cannot have it both ways. If you are not going to test reliability and safety of the triad, then you should be supporting missile defense. If you are not going to support missile defense, then you ought to be supporting the effectiveness of our nuclear triad. Mr. President, I want to conclude at this point. The whole phrase, the whole concept of stockpile stewardship implies a responsibility. That is what stewardship means. And these are the most complex weapons in our inventory. As I said, we test guns and planes and ships regularly. It is called readiness.”