Political Quotes

“I add my comments to those of my distinguished colleague and my former boss in the Department of the Navy, Secretary John Chafee of Rhode Island. Those are days that neither of us will ever forget. It is interesting to go back in history. When President Nixon was searching for a Secretary of Defense--and I will test the recollection of my colleague--there was much thought about one of the most famous Members, contemporary Members of the Senate, Scoop Jackson, taking the post. Senator Jackson did consult with the President, but there came a time when Jackson felt he could fulfill his goals with the Senate. They were extraordinary goals, which, indeed, he did fulfill, and that is by continuing in the Senate. But Jackson pointed this out to Secretary Laird, then-Congressman Laird from Wisconsin, ranking member of the Defense Subcommittee on Appropriations. I remember Laird saying that it was difficult for him to give up a life in the House of Representatives and in the Congress and representing his State, which he loved so dearly. But he did it. But, as a condition, he said, ``Mr. President, I want to pick my team in the Department of Defense,'' thereby deviating--and at that time I was in the transition office of President Nixon--from the White House sort of selecting the principal deputies. It was Melvin Laird who selected David Packard, and it became known as the Laird-Packard team.”