Max Baucus: “not too many years ago, Senator Mike Mansfield, a great former Senator from Montana, would have breakfast every morning…”

“not too many years ago, Senator Mike Mansfield, a great former Senator from Montana, would have breakfast every morning with Senator George Aiken of Vermont. That helped develop a strong relationship between the two of them. It helped bridge party differences. In addition to the goodwill of Senator George Aiken of Vermont, those daily breakfasts contributed to the collegiality in the Senate. I like to think that there is something about Vermont, about the people of Vermont, that is basic. They are down to earth. They know their roots. Their rudder is well set. They are good people, commonsense people. That is why they elected George Aiken to come to the Senate. It must also be why they elected Jim Jeffords because Jim Jeffords is a real person. What he says is true. He doesn't speak in long paragraphs or long treatises because he doesn't have to. He gets straight to the point. He is a man of few words because he doesn't have to equivocate, doesn't have to qualify, doesn't have to dissemble. He just gets straight to the point. I have found that in my relationship with that wonderful man, Jim Jeffords. We work together on the Environment and Public Works Committee. Time and time again he turns to me, defers to me, and says: Max, whatever you want to do, that is fine with me. I know that he is also saying: Just keep me informed of what you are doing. And I do. It is a wonderful personal relationship. We know each other. We trust each other eminently, immediately.…”