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For their part, the critics managed to cut a meager $70.6 million from the bill. Most of this was accomplished before the August recess. When the Senate reconvened, says Mondale, "we began to come across as a bunch of romantics unconcerned about defense. We aren't antidefense, we're just anti-waste, but that point began to get lost as this whole thing dragged on so long." Next time, Mondale warns that "we'll zero in and attack fewer items."