Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I rise today to talk about an issue that affects a part of our Constitution. The Constitution begins with these three words: ``We the people.'' You can talk in any townhall across America and ask ``What are the first three words of the Constitution?'' and they will respond ``We the people.'' They know that the Constitution starts with those words written in a super-sized font, because that is really the heart of what our system of government is all about--not ``we the powerful commercial interests,'' not ``we the titans of industry,'' not ``we the richest in America.'' No. ``We the people,'' the citizens, ordinary citizens. Our Constitution, our system of government is set up to honor and respect and address the concerns of ordinary citizens. That is very different from so many other countries where our early residents came from, from across the sea. So those three words capture the spirit of what our new Nation was all about, or, as President Lincoln later summarized, a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. I have come to the floor periodically to address various issues related to ``we the people,'' related certainly to honoring the spirit of the Constitution. In that regard, this week I am coming to the floor to address the responsibility of our Senate and its advice and consent role under our Constitution. The President's duty is to nominate a Supreme Court Justice when there is a vacancy.…”