Ron Wyden: A liberal who cuts deals with Republicans

[Geee]

Washington Examiner:

Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon is an unusual hybrid: a Democrat with a liberal voting record and a reputation for reaching across the aisle to broker deals with Republicans.

 

That reputation will be put to a severe test when, if all goes as expected, he becomes chairman of the influential Senate Finance Committee, replacing Max Baucus, who is leaving the chamber to become President Obama's ambassador to China.

 

Known as a policy wonk, Wyden came of age politically when his home state was still Republican-friendly territory. He ousted a Democratic incumbent and won a House seat in 1980, the year voters abandoned the Democratic Party in droves and helped make Ronald Reagan president. Sixteen years later, Wyden ascended to the Senate by narrowly beating a conservative Republican who later became a Wyden admirer.

 

"I would describe Ron as a principled liberal with a keen understanding of the requirement of pragmatism to get anything done," said Gordon Smith, the conservative Republican Wyden beat in the 1996 Senate race.

[Valin]

Down with The DINO's!!!