Gordon Smith

Oregon's Republican senator Gordon Smith, who voted for the anti-American, anti-flag-burning amendment, seemed particularly dedicated to the immense democratic importance of his vote to fundamentally alter American's civil rights:

"It's not a burning issue," a wry Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) told The Hill newspaper's Jonathan Allen off the Senate floor....

An hour later, Hatch fell a vote short of his goal. But there was no time to wallow: Oregon's Smith was already on the floor, hailing Oregon State University's college baseball World Series victory.

"Mr. President," Smith announced with an enthusiasm that eluded him during the flag-burning debate, "I stand before you a Beaver believer."