Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I thank my colleague from New York and my colleague from Missouri who was here a moment ago and all those who came to the floor to talk. I assume my colleagues are aware of the fact that all across America there have been cable TV subscribers who have been calling in and asking for a refund because when they turned on C- SPAN to see the Senate they saw an empty Chamber and nothing going on, and at least now we give them a little activity on the Senate floor. But, unfortunately, that activity is not going to lead to anything meaningful. The Senator from New York even offers a legislative idea that doesn't seem to be greeted by any applause on the other side or any counteroffer of any conciliatory magnitude. I was at the meeting the Senator talked about yesterday, and it was a historic meeting with the President and Senator Kyl, Senator McConnell, Senator Reid, myself, the President, the leaders of the House, as well and some members of the President's Cabinet--Secretary Geithner, for example. Vice President Biden was there. I would say the reports generally have been accurate, that the President said: I want to change the environment, I want to change the dialog, I want there to be more meetings like this, open to suggestions from the other side about how we can work together and solve the problems facing our Nation. Then the President did something which those of us who have been fortunate to visit the White House once in a while really considered to be rare.…”