I issued a statement saying I had concluded that the parties could not reach agreement at this time given the historical, religious, political, and emotional dimensions of the conflict. But we didn’t have the votes of two-thirds of the senators necessary to ratify the treaty, and Trent Lott tried to get me to promise not to raise it for the rest of my term. I persuaded David Gergen, a friend from Renaissance Weekend and veteran of three Republican administrations, Gingrich even joked that he had followed my campaign example by stopping at a Dunkin’ Donuts shop on the way to the meeting.
In October we did two days in Michigan and, in one hectic day, made ten towns in North Carolina. We talked about a wide variety of issues, and I found the President’s review of our foreign policy challenges particularly insightful. It was also still in Syria’s interest to make peace, and soon. the night at the White House, even though, as with all guests, I paid for the costs of meals and other refreshments.
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