Conrad Burns: “I rise today in opposition to the nomination of Mr. Strobe Talbott of Ohio for Deputy Secretary of State. Today the…”

“I rise today in opposition to the nomination of Mr. Strobe Talbott of Ohio for Deputy Secretary of State. Today the Senate is undertaking one of its most important functions, as we prepare to vote on the confirmation of a Presidential nominee. This is serious business. While our President has the privilege of nominating his choice for the top jobs in Government, the Senate has the duty to ensure that his choice is the best choice for America. After deep consideration of this nomination I feel that Mr. Strobe Talbott is not the best choice. I took a long time in reviewing his record and his ability to fulfill the requirements of the No. 2 slot at State. After a thorough study of his previous writings. I have several concerns about his nomination. As a journalist, Mr. Talbott has a long history of recorded thoughts on U.S. foreign policy. He has said that he has changed his mind on some of his writings and some of my colleagues say they can understand this. I don't understand how ideas and thoughts on issues written repeatedly over a long period of time can suddenly change overnight. While his writings on the former Soviet Union have proven to be dead wrong, they ruled his decisions in his last position as Ambassador at Large for the former Soviet Union.”