Byron Dorgan: “this is called the greatest deliberative body in the world. I have always been enormously proud to be a part of it.…”

“this is called the greatest deliberative body in the world. I have always been enormously proud to be a part of it. There are times I think we treat the light too seriously and then the serious too lightly, but in this time and place, the issue of national security is something all of us understand is serious. This is a deadly serious business. The question of war with Iraq, the question of homeland security, are very important issues. I know there was some controversy yesterday beginning with stories in the newspaper and in the Senate Chamber about statements by the President. I don't think there is a context in which it is ever appropriate for us to suggest or the President to suggest the opposing political party or members of the opposing political party do not support this country's national security. You will never, ever, hear me suggest a group of my colleagues don't care about this country's national security. I will never do that. It is not the appropriate thing to do. When you read the President's statements at fundraisers about these matters and hear his suggestion, no matter the context, that the U.S. Senate doesn't seem to care about national security, or places special interests ahead of the Nation's interests with respect to security, that is wrong. National security is deadly serious business.”