Ben Cardin actually said...

"I think that the private diplomacy that we conduct and whatever public criticism we have leveled against the Government of Turkey in the past--the effect has been the same."

"The question is was there a better way of handling this with Turkey."

"It strikes me that it is important for the United States to publicly engage with Turkish officials and the Turkish public about the importance of human rights, about the importance of democratic insti..."

"I think it is important, when senior officials travel to Turkey, to continue meeting with those who are fighting for democracy."