Political Quotes

“We are about to confirm Dr. Condoleezza Rice, the first African-American woman to become Secretary of State. It is a proud moment for this Senate and indeed for the American people. Dr. Rice has served her country with distinction and she has served her country with honor. She has been a steady and a trusted confidant to two Presidents, and as Secretary of State she will apply her long experience and extraordinary skill to meet the greatest challenges of our time--fighting the war on terror and advancing democracy around the globe. Dr. Rice possesses this rare combination of management and administrative experience, policy expertise, academic scholarship and, not least important, personal integrity and character. Yes, I am disappointed that Dr. Rice's nomination was caught up in partisan politics. While I recognize my colleagues' right to debate the President's nominees, Dr. Rice's obvious qualifications have never, ever been in doubt. Nor was it ever in doubt that a large bipartisan majority would vote to confirm her, which we will see in a few moments. Partisanship has its time and place, but we are at this point in time a nation at war.”