Sen.-Elect Jon Tester, 'Regular Montanan'

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MICHELE NORRIS, host:

The halls of the Capitol are filled with newcomers to both houses today in town for their freshman orientation. One of those new faces with a decidedly old fashioned hairstyle is Jon Tester. The Democrat from Montana will stand out among the silk tie and manicure set in the Senate with his flattop and his burly build.

Tester narrowly defeated incumbent Senator Conrad Burns in a contest marked by name calling and negative ads. He ran as the guy next door, or at least the next field down the road. He's an organic farmer who tends the same big sky homestead that's been in his family since 1916. His new workplace will take some getting used to.

Senator JON TESTER (Democrat, Montana): You know, we went into the Capitol -first time ever I've been in the Capitol. It's an incredible building. More than a building. When you look at all the pictures and the statues and the like in there, it's very humbling.

NORRIS: You campaigned as an outsider. You said you would represent the interests of the common man and common woman. What have you learned in your experience as a dry land farmer and also your experience in the state senate out in Montana that will serve you well in Congress?

Senator TESTER: Well, it's a great question and I think working together is what I've learned. You have to work across party lines, not giving up your values in the process but really coming together and working with people for the common good.

NORRIS: Iraq was a big issue in many campaigns, including yours. The voters sent you here with a message or a mission. What do you understand that to be?

Senator TESTER: Well, I think it's to be more responsive to the people more than anything. And I think people aren't happy with Iraq. It doesn't take a nuclear physicist to figure that one out. I think the first thing that has to be done is we have to develop a plan.

NORRIS: When you say we, you mean the Democrats or the Democrats working -

Senator TESTER: I think the executive and legislative branch need to develop a plan that works. The other thing is this - Montana's a, heck, it's probably no different than anywhere else in the United States. There's a lot of middle class folks that are working hard to pay their bills and we need to do some things the help them.

NORRIS: You come from a part of the country that espouses and actually embraces a very strict brand of fiscal conservatism. I'm wondering if you're a bit out of step with your party on that? If you look at many of the things that are sort of topping the Democratic agenda, most of them require the investment of money. Require actually spending more money.

Senator TESTER: It's about priorities. I will tell you in the case of education, you have to make the investment if you're going to get the return. There's no doubt about that. It's a proven fact the return is there if you make the investment. It really is about priorities. It's about priorities. It's about doing things that make sense like you don't do no bid contracts in Iraq. That doesn't make any sense. You negotiate for drug prices. That makes sense. There's certain things that are just flat no brainers that we need to do.

NORRIS: Given your fiscal conservatism, are you willing in some cases to cross the aisle, to actually vote against your party and perhaps join forces with Republicans?

Senator TESTER: Yeah, I've done it before in the Montana Senate. When push comes to shove, I'll be representing the people first.

NORRIS: When you get that call from the Senate leaders and they start to circle you, it's easy to say that now, but if it's a tight vote how difficult will that be?

Senator TESTER: You know it's interesting because, you know, I'm currently president of the Montana Senate. We went through a situation where we had, you know, 27-23 out of a 50-member body. Never once did I ever put pressure on somebody. I said, you know, we'd like to have you vote this way and they would say can't do it because of this or sure, not a problem. I was going to do that.

When the Senate leadership comes around me and gathers around me and says we need you to vote this way, I'm going to tell them exactly why I can or cannot vote that way. Hopefully, it's a respectful enough body where they'll give you enough room to represent your constituents. If they don't, I guess there will be a parting of the ways.

NORRIS: When you get here in Washington, is it going to be hard for you to spend so much time away from your land and all those big skies out in Montana?

Senator TESTER: Let me tell you, I'm a farmer. I always will be a farmer. When I die, I'll be a farmer. It's something that I've wanted to do since I was 8 years old. I can tell you also that I see opportunity slipping away for our kids. I can't make changes 12 miles west of Big Sandy, but I can make changes in Washington, D.C. It's going to be difficult but the truth is that I will enjoy the challenges of developing policy that works long term for our people. That motivates me almost as much agriculture.

NORRIS: Thanks so much for coming in to talk to us.

Senator TESTER: It is entirely my pleasure.

NORRIS: Jon Tester. He's the Democratic senator-elect from the state of Montana.

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