Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I thank my colleagues for their very warm words. Today, when I walked down the aisle, escorted by my esteemed partner, Ben Cardin, my former and beloved colleague, Senator Paul Sarbanes--when I walked down that aisle, I walked into the history books. I never set out to do that and, for me, it is a great honor to join Margaret Chase Smith in the history books. As Senator Snowe has said, and also Senator Collins on a number of occasions, Margaret Chase Smith and I share many things in common. Today they wear the rose, but those two outstanding Senators from Maine also wear the values of Maine and the values of Margaret Chase Smith: a strong belief in constituent service, staying close to the people, focusing on jobs for the State, being a strong supporter of innovation, and a fearless, unrelenting streak of independence. I hope I am like her. I know they bear that same set of characteristics. For me, it is not how long I serve but how well I serve. Service for me is about being connected, connected to my constituents, staying close to them so they do not fall between the cracks, meeting their day-to-day needs and also looking at the long-range needs of the Nation. Nobody comes here by themselves. Later on today I will thank my friends and supporters.…”