[NotTallTex]

Joe “is one of the leading statesmen of his time” and I’m an astronaut.

[WayneS]

Remember, they said "...of his time...". Think of who they're comparing him to:

Hilary Clinton, John Kerry, John McCain, Barack Obama, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi

With competition like that, it's entirely [possible he is one of the leading statesmen of his time.