Political Quotes

“there are reports in the newspaper about the approval ratings of politicians and political institutions. Certainly, the President has had some problems, has had better days. His numbers are low. The numbers for Congress, in many respects, as an institution, are even lower. Those of us who serve in the Congress are asked from time to time: What does this all mean? Why are the American people so critical of Congress, and what is it doing? I think it reflects several points. First, the last election, which changed control of Congress from Republicans to Democrats, many people believed would be a watershed, a real change in direction. They have looked and haven't seen it, particularly when it comes to the war in Iraq. Despite our best efforts in the Democratic majority in the Senate, with only 51 out of 100 Members, we sent the President an opportunity to change the direction of his policy and start bringing American troops home. The President used his power in the Constitution to veto that legislation. We tried over and over, with all-night sessions, long debates, a variety of amendments and have not been able to break through and come up with a solid enough, strong enough bipartisan majority to change the policies in Iraq. It is frustrating--frustrating, I am sure, to the American people, frustrating to us in Congress, for some who voted against the war and now believe this war has no end in sight and should be ended soon in a responsible way.”