Bill Bennett: “I have been interested at the reaction that has come from my constituents as I have held this position over the years. I…”

“I have been interested at the reaction that has come from my constituents as I have held this position over the years. I remember a conversation with Utah's most respected pollster just before I cast my first vote against the flag amendment. He said: Senator, according to my polls, 80 percent of the people of Utah are in favor of a constitutional amendment with respect to the flag, and something like 60 percent of them consider it a voting issue. That is, they would be more likely to vote against a candidate who voted against the flag amendment than they would to vote for him. We talked about it, and he said: What are you going to do? I said: Regardless of the poll numbers, I am going to vote against the amendment. He laughed a little and he said: That is what I thought. I think it will stand you in good stead with your constituents who will respect your courage even if they do not agree with your position. I was grateful for those words of encouragement, and I am happy to report that has happened. I ask unanimous consent that at the end of my statement, two editorials be printed in the Record from Utah's two newspapers with the highest circulation, the Salt Lake Tribune and the Deseret Morning News. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. (See Exhibit 1.)”