In today's my way or the highway politics, more politicians (and political junkies) should take to heart the following: Compromise on public issues is the price of civilization, not an abrogration of principle.
This was written by Alan Greenspan, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, and is quoted by Bethany McLean and Joe Nocera in "All the devils are here". Alan Greenspan wrote it about being asked by President Ford to become Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors.
Greenspan was also a member of Ayn Rand's inner circle.