Pat Roberts: “I mean after several Farm Bills that many of us have worked on the productivity of the American farmer is incredible.”

Instead of going bilateral, bilateral, bilateral, bilateral times 11, to get back into TPP would really send a message to China.

Your point is extremely valid. Other countries have beat us to the punch, and we have got to get busy.

But short-term, for goodness' sake, do not, in this business of playing your cards of trying to get a better deal for the United States or a better trade situation, do not do so at the expense of American agriculture, which is going…

His brand of unconditional cordiality is increasingly rare, and this institution sure could use a lot more of it.