Political Quotes

“``If President Obama is ever going to find his voice on Sudan, it better be soon.'' These were the closing words 2 weeks ago of columnist Nicholas Kristof. Having first traveled to Sudan in 1989, my interest in this country has spanned the better part of 20 years. I've been most recently there in July of 2004, with Senator Brownback. We were the first congressional delegation to visit Darfur, where genocide has taken place. We saw the same scorched earth tactics from Khartoum in the brutal 20-year civil war with the South where 2.1 million people perished. I remain grateful for President Bush's leadership in bringing about an end to the bloodshed with the historic signing of the CPA. But that peace is now in jeopardy. Fast forward to 2009. I was part of a bipartisan group in Congress who called for the appointment of a special envoy shortly after President Obama was elected. What was once a successful model for Sudan is not having the desired effect today. And I'm not alone in that belief. Last week, six respected NGOs ran ads in the Washington Post calling for Secretary Clinton and Ambassador Rice to exercise ``personal and sustained leadership on Sudan'' in the face of a ``stalemated policy.'' Today, I join the chorus of voices in calling on the President to empower Secretary Clinton and Ambassador Rice to take control of this languishing policy in Sudan. They should oversee quarterly deputies' meetings to ensure options for consequences are on the table.…”