Political Quotes

“Mr. President, let me say a word about the leadership in the Senate. I have the good fortune of working with Senator Harry Reid, our majority leader. In my role as whip, or assistant leader, I have been close at hand when most of the major decisions have been made. I have come to take the measure of this man from Searchlight, NV, and I have found him to be an extraordinary leader. At first blush, most people would not choose him for his ringing oratory or a commanding presence. But I will tell you that he has created a leadership style in the Senate that is exceptional. I have watched him during the span of the last 2\1/2\ years, particularly as he has faced a myriad of challenges: a new President of his own party; passing the stimulus bill, when we didn't have 60 votes on the Democratic side and had to rely on a cross-over vote from three Republican Senators; dealing with the TARP crisis; the recession and what needed to be done to save financial institutions from dissolution; his efforts, as well, on the Health Care Reform Act, which might have been the mightiest political battle I have ever been engaged in; the Financial Reform Act--the list goes on and on. Then comes this year with the new Congress--divided, with a Republican leadership in the House. He has had to face passage of appropriations bills, continuing resolutions, and now the most recent crisis over the extension of the debt ceiling. He is an exceptional leader.…”