Political Quotes

“I thank my colleague from Arizona who led this trip. Very enthusiastically and emphatically I would say the answer is, yes, we should be encouraging these nongovernmental organizations that are committed to the cause of democracy and human rights and civil society. Their work in Egypt and in places such as Tunisia and other areas of the Middle East, as well as around the globe where democracy and freedom are at risk and sometimes at great peril, has been enormously important. I was so proud and grateful to be part of this trip led by Senator McCain, and to hear and see the kind of respect there is in the world for his views, for his leadership, as well as for Senator Graham's. And ``receptiveness'' is probably an understatement that Field Marshal Tantawi, leaders of Parliament, and others in Egypt had for his statements about the importance of allowing these Americans, these seven Americans, who committed no crime, to leave that country. The power of his and Senator Graham's statements, the ability of our colleagues such as Senator Hoeven and Senator Sessions to speak--not on behalf of the United States, because we were not there to negotiate-- but on behalf of public opinion in the United States I think was very instrumental and shows the importance of the interchanges and the relationships that can be built when we interact face to face, on the ground, with our peers and contemporaries in foreign countries.…”