Robert Smith: “when I go home to Oregon I am often asked what is the biggest surprise I have had as a Senator. I often and without any…”

“when I go home to Oregon I am often asked what is the biggest surprise I have had as a Senator. I often and without any hesitation answer that my biggest surprise is that one of my closest friendships in the Senate, and one of the most constructive relationships I have in the Senate, is with my former opponent, the senior Senator from Oregon, Ron Wyden. After I was elected to replace Mark Hatfield, he and I became more than colleagues; we became friends, confidants, and worked every year to try to establish an agenda that helps and serves the interests of our State as well as our country. This year we have followed that tradition, announced a bipartisan agenda, toured our State with seven joint townhalls, and tried to listen to the people as to what they wanted. We heard many things. We heard, ``Tax cuts.'' I am for President Bush's tax cut. I make no apology for that. I believe our economy needs that. I believe our country needs help. I believe we need to be reminded that we are a democratic free enterprise society and not a democratic socialist society. But having said that, I believe, using the surpluses we are bountifully blessed with, there are things we can and should do. In Oregon, we have a proud tradition of caring for the underprivileged and the uninsured.”