Political Quotes

Ronald Dellums: “I would simply yield myself 30 seconds to say that this is a debate that takes us beyond rhetoric, and I think to use…”

On the recordJune 24, 1997
I would simply yield myself 30 seconds to say that this is a debate that takes us beyond rhetoric, and I think to use the term rhetoric is not advisable in the context of this debate. We are talking about life and death here, and to demean anyone's comments as rhetoric I think does not bode well. We are intelligent people here. Let us lift the level of the discussion and the debate. I am not prepared to challenge anyone on rhetorical grounds here. I am prepared to challenge any Member of Congress on substantive grounds, and I would hope that my distinguished colleague on the other side of the aisle would move beyond using the term rhetoric. It is demeaning and it is inappropriate in the context of the debate that ought to take us to a much higher level.
Said by
Ronald Dellums
Democratic · California
Source
govinfo.gov

Editor's note · Context

Addressing the importance of substantive debate over rhetoric in Congress.

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