Political Quotes

“The Senator from California knows the President, before he was elected, was my colleague for 4 years in the Senate. Every Thursday morning at 8:30, then-Senator Obama and I would get together for a town meeting which we opened to people who came to Washington. Originally, it was for people from Illinois who came to Washington. Then when I saw the crowds growing with my colleague, Senator Obama, I suggested those who wish they were from Illinois or just those who want to see Barack Obama. We would have a huge room full of people. Many of them were fans and admirers. But I watched Senator Obama field questions then. During the campaign I saw the same thing. This is risky business about which politicians are warned: Don't walk into that crowd that has not been prescreened because they are going to throw you curve balls. They will criticize you. It could get tough and out of hand. Be ready. He is ready because he has been tested. He was tested as a Senator, certainly tested 2 years on the campaign trail. It is downright refreshing that he walks in and has somebody hold up their hand and he doesn't know what is coming. This could be a person who would never consider voting for him, a person who disagrees with him completely, and he is prepared to hear that. That is a refreshing change in American politics. I hope he sticks with it. I think he will. The fact that he is going to communities that are suffering--whether it is Elkhart, IN, or Ft.…”