Political Quotes

“I think that carefully paraphrases what that brilliant strategist and President said. There is no doubt about it. And there will be a time to determine what went right, what did not go according to plan, and such deficiencies, and the accountability. But right now our obligation is owing to the men and the women who are fighting there and their families at home. Stop to think of the reaction of a young wife, surrounded by small children, not knowing from day to day whether her husband will survive another day's engagement in Afghanistan or Iraq, and they hear this whole thing has been a fraud perpetrated upon this family and was made up in Texas. I find that very painful. I have had the privilege of almost a lifetime of association with the men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States--over half a century. Modest was my contribution on active duty, but through this half century I have learned much from these men and women with whom I have been privileged to work and support now as a Member of the Senate. We always have to focus on that family and their reaction to every word we say on this floor, every word that is said in the Congress. How does it affect that young wife or spouse of a female serving in uniform, as many are in these troubled areas of the world? How is that family affected, and not only the children but the parents? By and large, people who go into uniform do so solely for patriotism. It is an all-volunteer force. There is no draft.…”