I think dealing with the U.S. Senate is very different from dealing with the electorate.

We have a lot of thoughtful people in the U.S. Senate.

The U.S. Senate already has one Arlen Specter too many.

Richard is a senior member of the House's Transportation Committee, ... I was on a relevant Senate committee. We were both named to the joint legislative committee which developed the final version of the bill. If not for Richard's leadership, a lot of this wouldn't have gotten done.

He's worked very hard to try to overcome that ... (but) as a minority member of the Senate, of course, accomplishments are thin. There's not a policy record there. There's not successes to point to.

Well, first, if I am fortunate enough to be elected to the U.S. Senate, it won't be a party that will have elected me. It will be the people of California.