”…There is no position on which people are so immovable as their religious beliefs. There is no more powerful ally one can claim in a debate than Jesus Christ, or God, or Allah, or whatever one calls this supreme being. But like any powerful weapon, the use of God’s name on one’s behalf should be used sparingly. The religious factions that are growing throughout our land are not using their religious clout with wisdom. They are trying to force government leaders into following their position 100 percent.”
-1964 Presidential Candidate Barry Goldwater (R-AZ) in 1981
“I think it is really necessary for Democrats not to follow a straight party line on voting for filibusters and Republicans not to follow a straight party line on voting for the so-called constitutional nuclear option … I think, if we voted our consciences, we wouldn’t have filibusters, and we wouldn’t have a nuclear option.”
-U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), speaking on CNN last Sunday