Jim Inhofe: “I think the bottom line in all this discussion of earmarks--or however you want to word it--is that we have to do…”

“I think the bottom line in all this discussion of earmarks--or however you want to word it--is that we have to do something about excessive spending. It is something we cannot continue. It is not sustainable. I think everyone agrees with that. It is interesting for me when I see the President and the passage of such things as the $787 billion stimulus and all that to say we are going to form a commission to see how we can keep from spending so much money. Well, that is how you do it: You do not do things like that. Let me say, first of all, after this election, the Tea Party did play a big part in this thing. I have to say I was very excited about it early on. I think I might have been the first Republican anyway to go to Marco Rubio and support him in his efforts down in Florida and several of the others. I think it is clearly a good thing, a change, and I think the American people have clearly spoken.”