Byron Dorgan: “the comment that not always right but never in doubt may well apply to every Senator. I must say to my colleague from…”

“the comment that not always right but never in doubt may well apply to every Senator. I must say to my colleague from Texas that I intend for a few moments on Monday to say a word about the Senator from Texas, and my colleagues from South Carolina and North Carolina, and others who are leaving the Senate. I don't know if Senator Byrd indicated that he wished there were more such as the Senator from Texas, and he is, indeed, an extraordinarily bright and talented Senator. There are times at midnight when he is objecting to all kinds of provisions that I suspect the Senator from West Virginia and a few others would not wish that we had 25 more exactly in the same mood at midnight on important pieces of legislation. But he and so many others contribute in very significant ways to this body. This body produces for the American people best when it achieves the best ideas that everyone has to offer. There are times when we end up with the worst rather than the best. I have always thought that politics and our political system is not who is the worst; it is who is the best, who has the best ideas, and who can best manifest those ideas in public debate to achieve a result for this country. Regrettably, too much of American politics--especially if you are coming off recent campaigns--is not at all about who is the best but rather who is the worst. That, in my judgment, becomes an anvil on the body politic.”