Political Quotes

“I know a number of my colleagues are going to want to talk about our friend Mark Begich. When we came to the Senate--I see a number of folks here--we came in 2008. I see a lot of other Members who are newer Members as well. I think when you come in with a class, you get kind of confused about what is going on and you form a bond. I remember my first--our first--Senator Franken wasn't here yet, but Senator Merkley, Senator Hagan, Senator Bennet, and a number of others. And we were in Senator Durbin's office. There was still a question about what was going to happen in the election because there were thousands of votes out. So being giddy new Members, we got on the phone to call Senator Begich to say we wish him well and we are counting on him. He said: Hey, Jacob and I are leaving on vacation because I already know where the votes are coming from. I am going to be there. He knew his State that well. As someone who is a former chief executive and as some others here who are former chief executives, I remember him coming here, and many of us new Members were kind of scratching our heads about the notion of how this institution would work or didn't work sometimes. But, as Senator Begich mentioned and as Senator Murray mentioned at our dinner the other night, there are a lot of people in this body who are chronic optimists. I am blessed to have an optimist in my colleague Senator Kaine. I don't always fit in that category.…”