Political Quotes

“I rarely disagree with my good friend from Massachusetts who preceded me, but he was much too harsh toward the Republicans. He should not have chided them for voting for a budget that would bring the deficit up rather than down next year. They have learned. Last year, they tried to impose themselves on the U.S. Senate, their colleagues over there, and what happened but a shutdown of the Government, a lot of political problems, a lot of governmental problems. They have learned the advantage of flexibility, of compromise. A year in Washington makes a difference. The firebrands of last year have become now those who listen to leadership, who back down, who accommodate. And when they are told we need to have the deficit go up, when they are told we have to put several billion dollars more in, when the Senate says that, the president of the freshman class says he does not like to but he will accommodate. I do not think my friend should be so harsh. I think when the firebrands of yesteryear learn flexibility, accommodation, compromise, deferring to their elders across the hall so they can help the Presidential campaign of our recently departed majority leader, they should be encouraged.”