Thomas Daschle: “A Senator is within his rights and certainly a majority leader is within his rights to suggest changing the rules. If we…”

“A Senator is within his rights and certainly a majority leader is within his rights to suggest changing the rules. If we are to change rules, there is a procedure. And I respect the majority leader's interest and determination to suggest ways that the rules could be changed with regard to filibusters or, for that matter, any rule involving Senate procedure. He joined me in opposing this proposal when it was offered by Senators Harkin and Lieberman about 10 years ago. But obviously, over the course of 10 years, we all have a right and an expectation that we will change our points of view from time to time. He has on this matter. As in most parts of this country, slogans and phrases sometimes have more wisdom than one might see on the surface. There is an old slogan or saying in South Dakota that I am sure is repeated in other States: 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' It ain't broke. Anytime you can confirm 124 judicial nominees in the course of 2 rac{1}{2} years, I don't see much broken. That is a 98.4-percent confirmation rate.”