Thomas Daschle: “Harry Truman once said, ``It is amazing what we can accomplish if we don't care who gets the credit.'' That kind of…”

“Harry Truman once said, ``It is amazing what we can accomplish if we don't care who gets the credit.'' That kind of selfless leadership is not found much in Washington anymore. But it is the essence of my great friend, Wendell Ford. Earlier this week, Senator Ford announced he would not seek a fifth term in this body. For me, the news is bittersweet. I know how much Senator Ford looks forward to spending more time with his wife Jean and their family. I know how much he misses Kentucky, how much he simply just wants to go fishing with his grandchildren. But I also know how much I will miss him and how much the Senate will miss him. It is one of the traditions of this Senate that we carve our names inside our desks. Carved inside Senator Ford's desk is the name of one of this body's towering giants, Senator Henry Clay, ``the Great Compromiser.'' It is fitting that Wendell Ford and Henry Clay should share the same desk--not just because they are both sons of Kentucky, but because they both understand that democracy requires compromise. We can never compromise on principle. But we can--and we must--be willing to negotiate details if we are to accomplish anything of consequence. That is one of many lessons I learned from Wendell Ford. It is ironic that Wendell Ford comes from Kentucky, home of the great racehorses, because he is not a racehorse; he is a workhorse.”