Here is Kerry's October 1, 2008 words on the Senate floor on Senator Warner

[karynnj]

(I hope this wasn't posted way beck then)

"Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, it is a privilege to speak today about my good friend and colleague, JOHN WARNER , who it has been an honor to serve with in the Senate for almost 25 years.

At age 17, JOHN enlisted in the Navy to serve our country during World War II. After that, he attended Washington and Lee University on the GI bill and went on to study law at the University of Virginia. In 1950, he interrupted his legal education to deploy to Korea as a marine, eventually attaining the rank of captain before receiving his law degree in 1953. Sixteen years later, John was appointed Under Secretary of the Navy, and in 1972 rose to become Secretary of the Navy. In 1978, the people of Virginia elected him their Senator, and he has represented them and the rest of our country with courage and dedication for over 30 years.

In particular, John has fought relentlessly for our men and women in uniform in his leadership role as chairman and ranking member of the Armed Services Committee. He has always had a special place in his heart for our country's veterans. His background as a sailor, marine, and Navy Secretary gave him the experience and insight needed to address extraordinarily complicated and wide-ranging issues of vital importance to our country's defense. Today he is recognized by all as one of our country's foremost experts on national security matters, and someone whose record of bipartisanship is simply unmatched.

That is a legend's biography, and through it courses the public virtues of service, patriotism, grace and high-mindedness in a way few have seen, but I know many will read about.

On a personal note, one of my fondest memories of JOHN was of a debate between us that occurred on the Senate floor. It was late one night in June 2006, and I had proposed a resolution setting a deadline on our combat presence in Iraq that wasn't a popular position at that time. I was clearly outnumbered, and the debate became heated and personal. In fact, my plan received only 13 votes, and Senator Warner wasn't one of them.

But even in times of disagreement, John had no trouble rising above partisan bickering in service of a higher purpose. In the best traditions and practices of the Senate, he rose to speak and engaged me in a respectful and substantive dialogue on a controversial issue that calmed the Senate chamber and I hope informed the American public.

I want to close by saying that I, the people of Virginia and this country are grateful for John's distinguished service and will miss him dearly. I wish him and his family my very best and look forward to continuing to receive his wise counsel in the years ahead. "

[beachmom]

1. Thank you so much for posting, Karynnj. I would have missed this had you not done so.

You know, we make our opinions merely as citizens, constituents, bloggers, and members of the c-span audience. I always found that Kerry/Warner debate to be compelling TV, and a great moment. It is nice to see that Kerry himself also found that night to be special.

[karynnj]

3. Exactly, it is nice to know that what we thought we saw, was real

I remember being surprised at Kerry's grin when he said something like, "you haven't said anything outrageous" at the very beginning of their debate - and noticing how he suddenly looked relaxed - even though he hadn't seemed "unrelaxed" before. It hit how tough those personal attacks likely were to stand up to. That might be why I was personally annoyed when Obama recently spoke of how his position on what to do Iraq was not popular when he took it. It in fact was the majority position in the country and Senate. It was Kerry, who put that position up when doing so was difficult - and Obama blasted it, likely for political reasons. John Warner, who also opposed it, was far fairer.

[YvonneCa]

2. Thank you for this. I remember that moment...

...on the Senate floor. It seemed clear that there was an underlying personal respect from Senator Warner toward Senator Kerry, even in the midst of their disagreement about the issue being discussed. Seems it was mutual. ;)

[beachmom]

4. Nice article about Warner plus this:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/12/18/ST2008121800022.html

Yellow stickies in his Senate office indicate where each piece is destined to go after John Warner closes up shop at noon on the Saturday after New Year's. Everything must go: the bust of Winston Churchill, a gift from Barry Goldwater when Warner entered the Senate in 1979; Warner's own handiwork, an oil painting of peonies; a bumper sticker from his first campaign; his father's World War I medals; a wooden arm from Saddam Hussein's throne.

At 81, Virginia's senior senator stands as erect as ever. He still spins a good yarn and knows a bill's real back story. But John Warner is not one to stay beyond his time. After five terms, he is heading home to the farm in Middleburg, exiting undefeated. These days, he is clearing out mementos that tell a story of power and process, of an institution that isn't quite what it used to be.

Treaties and resolutions, ceremonial photos and notes of tribute -- these are testaments to three decades of lawmaking the old-fashioned way. When Warner goes, there won't be many left who do business like this.

...

...When Warner finishes clearing out the office, he will leave behind a brass box, a gift for the senator who will take over these rooms: John Kerry, the Massachusetts Democrat who was a war protester when Warner was secretary of the Navy during the Vietnam War. The present is a binnacle, a tool sailors use to point out the right direction and light a path forward.

That is very moving. I always liked John Warner, even when I disagreed with him. At the link, you can see a glimpse of the office, soon to be Kerry's.