…it has become apparent during this process that this will not work for me as I have found that on issues such as the stimulus package and the Census there are irresolvable conflicts for me. Prior to accepting this post, we had discussed these and other potential differences, but unfortunately we did not adequately focus on these concerns. We are functioning from a different set of views on many critical items of policy.
The press conference is going on right now: “I do believe that I can be more effective in the Senate.” Calls Obama “strong and effective.”
Questions from the press:
Believes that once details of the plan get out “the market’s going to react very positively.”
“My genuine belief that this presidency will be a good presidency prevented me from focusing on whether I as an individual was going to be effective on the job.”
“The issue is very simple: For 30 yrs I have taken positions on things I believe in. I believe in a certain set of values… It became very clear to me that it would be virtually impossible to do this job well.”