Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I thank the distinguished majority leader for his generous and complimentary comments. As today completes 1 year since my return to the Democratic Party, I have a few observations on what we should do as Senators, not as Democrats or Republicans, to tend to the Nation's business in these difficult days. Partisanship ran high in 2005, with Republican threats to invoke the nuclear or constitutional option, which would, in effect, change the rule to allow 51 votes to cut off filibusters. The so-called ``Gang of 14,'' a group of centrists from both parties, structured a compromise which confirmed some judicial nominees, rejected others, and established a standard that filibusters should not be employed except in ``exceptional circumstances.'' That spirit of compromise, I suggest, should be revisited today. In the threat of a great depression in February 2009, I refused to join the Republican obstructionism and played a key role in the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. I am fully aware that my vote put my job on the line. Achieving civility and cooperation for the common good in 2010, as it occurred in 2005 with respect to judicial nominations, will require independence and risk-taking by Senators. Senators must be willing to cross the aisle and work with their colleagues even at the peril of the disfavor of their own political party.…”