I haven't been to many of these fancy Washington dinners - we call them suppers at home - but they're a little different out here. There's less meat, more lettuce, and it costs ten times as much. I haven't actually priced a head of lettuce out here and we bring our own meat from the farm, but those heads of lettuce must be pretty expensive out here...
I understand some of you paid over a thousand dollars to come to this dinner tonight. You know, for that kind of money I've got a neighbor at home who can set you up with an entire calf... double it and he'll probably sell you half his farm.
So it's good you're having this dinner out here, instead of in Montana. You'd have a tough time getting anyone to pay ten dollars for four ounces of chicken and the opportunity to hear me give a speech.
But seriously, I want to thank Twenty First Century Democrats for the tremendous work it does to seek out and support visionary leaders hoping to make their way to the state house... to Congress... or to the Senate. Because of folks like you... willing to look beyond the surface... the polls... and the conventional wisdom... folks like me have an opportunity to serve in places like the Montana legislature and the United States Senate. I want you to know that I appreciate the work that you've done for me... and for the country.
When I first ran for the Senate, I didn't fully realize what I was getting into. We reached out to a lot of different groups to talk about our campaign and to look for support... but we really found a partner with Twenty First Century Democrats. You were less interested in my ability to fill out a questionnaire, and more interested in the kind of leader I'd been in Helena... and the kind of leader I'd be in Washington. I know I wasn't everyone's favorite guy in Washington, but your commitment to leadership... focusing on what we can accomplish rather than what divides us as a party... is refreshing... and important.
I remember the interview I had with Twenty First Century Democrats... and I remember Kelly asking me what I would do to ensure that I wouldn't be changed by Washington. I should have said, "Look at me. Are you serious?"
But it's an important question... one we don't ask enough of candidates. I haven't been here all that long, but I can see how some folks get off the plane and after a little bit... end up being a part of the very problem they vowed to change. There are, unfortunately, too many examples in recent history.
The key, I think, is to make sure you know who you are before you get here... to know why you're here in the first place... to understand your service is an honor and temporary . . .and to have no problem going back home when you're finished.
We have the best quality of life anyone could ask for on our farm. If I wanted to improve my quality of life, I'd invest in a new, more comfortable seat for my tractor. I ran for the U.S. Senate to improve the lives of my grandkids. And that of your kids and your grandkids, that's why I'm here.
My home is a farm twelve miles from Big Sandy, Montana. Twenty-nine years ago, my folks passed their farm to me and my wife Sharla. It's the same farm I grew up on, the same farm my dad grew up on... and it's where Sharla and I raised our kids and where we spoil our grandson and granddaughter.
Since we took over the farm... whether it was planting or harvest... broken trucks or new combines... rain... no rain... or too much rain... I've known... everyday... that I've been incredibly blessed. Sharla and I raised our kids on that farm... and now my daughter and son-in-law are helping us out while we're on this little adventure in Washington.
I'm deeply honored to represent the state of Montana in the United States Senate. But there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about my farm... my family... and my neighbors. The day that I leave the Senate will be a day of mixed emotions. But on the other hand, I can tell you that it was more than a little difficult to leave the farm for Capitol Hill.
In fact, there's a lot about this politics business that isn't as rewarding as harvesting barley or lentils. I spent a lot of time pushing Montana wind with the front of my pick-up campaigning for the Senate. I drank some good coffee... and an awful lot of bad coffee. I gave a few speeches... asked some of my closest friends for money... was called some names... and had more than a few negative things said about me in television commercials. Out here, the days are long... there's way too many meetings... and as nice of a place as Washington is... it's not Big Sky Country.