Democratic U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont's comments on today's announcement by Republican Sen. John Warner, 80, of Virginia, that he will not seek reelection in 2008: 

“John Warner is one of my best friends.

"The Senate will be diminished by his leaving, and his steady, solid leadership has served the Senate, the nation and Virginia well.

“Senator Warner understands and values the Senate’s special role in our system. 

"At its best, the Senate has acted as the conscience of the nation.  Too few like Senator Warner are left in the Senate who understand that Senators must put country ahead of politics.”

Two guys who believe the country and the Constitution come before any administration, eh?