Interesting contrast to the Independence Party Senator:
Dean Barkley fingered a cigar as he leaned back in his leather chair at the Russell Senate Office Building. He was contemplating the ritual autumnal question for a senator about to retire: How has Washington changed since you arrived as a freshman?
"The weather has improved," Mr. Barkley replied on a balmy Friday afternoon. "It was cold and today it's nice." Mr. Barkley could remember his first cold freshman day as clearly as if it were yesterday, which it was. He arrived Thursday from Minnesota packing new suits and ties from Men's Wearhouse, hurriedly bought after he was unexpectedly appointed to serve out the remaining weeks of the term of Senator Paul Wellstone.
Gov. Jesse Ventura had talked of sending his trash collector to the session, but he settled on Mr. Barkley. He campaigned with a makeshift parade float depicting a donkey and an elephant in a cage chewing dollar bills next to a sign reading, "Please Don't Feed These Animals!"
Now, because the Senate is evenly divided, Mr. Barkley's vote will determine which party controls the chamber during the next two weeks.Mr. Barkley said he had not decided which party to empower when Congress reconvenes Tuesday, but in either case he was confident that his five-suit wardrobe would last him through the end of the term.
"The Republicans are becoming more conservative, and the Democrats aren't sure what they are," he said. "Neither party represents the small-business man. The Republicans insist on poking their nose into the abortion issue, school prayer, all that stuff that I don't think has any business in politics. The Democrats have never met a government program they didn't like."
He dashed off to another interview before he could be asked one last question: After his days in office were over, would he expect the customary courtesy of being addressed for the rest of his life as "Senator"? The question was fortunately resolved later. Today, his chief of staff issued an official statement with Mr. Barkley's answer: "Call me anything, but don't call me collect."
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