Political Quotes

“I think you're absolutely right, and I think that's one of the reasons a lot of people have changed their opinions. A lot of people have grave concerns about this type of a program, a one-size-fits-all, Washington-based program. I've also had some other people calling me, a lot of people with grave concerns and with a great deal of anger over everything that's going on. There are some who have simply asked, ``Why can't you just sit down and compromise? Why can't you work things out?'' I think I join with you in saying I am more than happy to sit down and work with anybody who will work with me. The bottom line is we have not been allowed to work together, which is why I was saying earlier to let those other ideas, the other bills, have an up-down vote as well. Bring them to the floor and allow a true debate on all ideas. Don't siphon the ideas down to what is allowable by the leaders of Congress. Allow us to actually work together. As I think you intimated, there are some things, certain provisions, on which both Republicans and Democrats do agree. Let them stand by themselves and see what we can actually accomplish without taking an idea on which we basically all agree and then adding 10 or 15 bad ideas on which we fundamentally disagree and saying, Okay, it's take it or leave it.”