Barack Obama

“ He understands that sometimes we get caught up in the heat of the moment. The design of the Senate has been to cool those passions, and to step back and take a somber look, and a careful look, at what we're doing. ”

“ Passions never flare up more than during times where we feel threatened, and I would strongly urge us, despite my great admiration for one of the sponsors of the underlying Bill, that we accept this extraordinarily modest amendment that would allow us to go back in five years' time, and make sure that what we're doing serves American ideals, American values, and ultimately will make us more successful in prosecuting the war on terrorism that all of us are concerned with. ”

“ Negative mail pieces criticizing people who don't for – vote for this legislation as caring more about the rights of terrorists than protecting Americans. To some degree, that's the vote that was specifically designed; it's time to add more fuel to the fire. And yet, what I know is this: I am disappointed, because what we're doing here today – a debate over the fundamental human rights of the accused – should be bigger than politics. ”