Political Quotes

“The Senator mentioned he might like to have me on his side in a fight at some point. This is my fifth year in the Senate. It does not come anywhere near the number of years the distinguished Senator has served here, but I am hoping that someday before either one of our terms is over in the Senate we might be on the same side on an issue, as he is a very worthy adversary. The Senator referred to a comment that I made a few days ago that made the national press; that it was our goal to wear the Senator from West Virginia out so we could get the balanced budget amendment to a vote. And the Senator is a very worthy adversary, because we have not been able to do that yet. Even though we have had a number of us out here relieving one another, the Senator still stands on his feet and still continues to debate, which is really the great thing about the Senate. Over behind my desk, there is the desk of Daniel Webster, one of the greatest orators in the Senate. The Senator from West Virginia certainly ranks up there in oratorical skills with those great Senators of that time--Clay, Webster, Calhoun, and so many others. But it does remind you that the time we spend here is very fleeting; that we are only temporary stewards of this country. But I think, in that perspective, if the Senator would continue to yield just for a moment, it is important to realize the significance of this debate. I think this is a debate of historical significance.”