Political Quotes

“this is a very worthy, appropriate debate and could not be more serious. The gentleman from Connecticut, a very good friend of mine whom I admire greatly, indicated that, in his opinion, the Spratt resolution would strengthen the hand of the President. Here is what the President believes. He rejects that. He does not believe that the Spratt resolution strengthens his hand. He asked us Monday night to come together and speak with one voice. What has happened over the last few weeks is amazing, and the American public should rejoice in it. The Speaker of the House, the minority leader, a group of bipartisan Senators, McCain and Lieberman and others, have sat down with the White House and have structured a resolution that gives a one-voice approach to a very serious problem for our country. I am not here to tell Members that they should follow blindly their President or their leadership. God knows, I have never been accused of that. But in matters such as this, we must try to achieve consensus because so much is at stake. Many watch what we say and do here. Please do not believe otherwise. We will either be stronger, or weaker, in our ability to negotiate and to make the world safer. There is strength in Hastert, Gephardt, Hyde and Lantos. The strength comes from the Speaker, the minority leader, committee chairmen and ranking members and the President reaching consensus. No disrespect to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt), but that is strength.”