Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I want to respond to the comments of my friend from Texas, who was very passionate in her remarks, by saying it interested me that she raised the name of President Ronald Reagan, because a lot of major players in his administration support this treaty--George Shultz, for one, and also James Baker. In addition, the current Director of National Intelligence, who is responsible for verification, supports this treaty. And LTG Patrick O'Reilly, head of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, says that the New START treaty actually reduces constraints on the development of missile defense. I think her comments were very articulate, but they are not correct, because, again, I will place into the Record the many leaders from former Republican administrations who are pressing us hard to get this treaty done. As a matter of fact, we haven't had boots on the ground to verify what the Russians are doing for a long time now. This treaty will make sure we can verify. But whether it is Defense Secretary Robert Gates, or Patrick O'Reilly, as I said, head of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, or the Director of National Intelligence--you also have former Secretary of Defense James Schlesinger saying he doesn't believe this inhibits missile defense. You have the former Secretary of Defense under President Clinton, William Perry, being very strong on this, along with Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and so on.…”