LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
01.12.02-BAKER discusses whether he's obligated to agree with REAGAN. Says he sees his role as REAGAN'S point man in Senate in any case where BAKER can support REAGAN in good conscience, is almost always the case. If he can't support REAGAN'S policy, he designates someone else to lead the debate, and he "indulges the assumption" that he will side with REAGAN unless there's a compelling reason why he shouldn't. WERTHEIMER asks about BAKER'S family Senate legacy. Shot of portrait of EVERETT DIRKSEN on wall. BAKER says that he doesn't mean to be vain, but the current Senate is the best crop of Senators he's ever seen, smartest, most capable, in both parties. Attributes the change to TV, which makes politics to much more visible, and allows younger Senators with strong ideas to get publicity and backing. 01.15.18-DUKE asks about REPUBLICAN prospects in the coming elections, divisions between the RIGHT WING and MODERATE REPUBLICANS. BAKER says REPUBLICANS are in fact very unified in the Senate, issues that divide the party show that the party is broad and vital. Says that being the governing party always invites criticism, can expect tranquility only if you are in the minority and have no prospects of getting into the majority. Discusses a critic, says that the REPUBLICANS may be showing signs of the same disarray that plagued the DEMOCRATS for years, but it's just something that comes from being the majority party. WERTHEIMER asks about dissent by MODERATE REPUBLICANS like BOB PACKWOOD who say that indulging BIG BUSINESS and the FAR RIGHT will kill the GOP. BAKER says the flap between REAGAN and PACKWOOD was difficult to mediate, but he thinks he's solved the tension. Says there's definitely room and a need for people like PACKWOOD and LOWELL WEICKER in GOP to balance out JESSE HELMS and CONSERVATIVES. It's a basic premise of the American political system which he thinks works better than the multiparty parliamentary system.