Guess who votes more often with Democrat Bill Clinton: A. Rep. Bill Orton, D-Utah; B. Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y.; D. Rep. Connie Morella, R-Md.; or D. Rep. Benjamin Gilman, R-N.Y.?
Each of those Republicans supported Clinton's proposals more often in House votes this year than Orton, according to a study of 1993 votes by Congressional Quarterly.In fact, nine House Republicans voted with Clinton as often or more frequently than Orton.
The new study shows that Orton is among the least Democratic of all the Democrats in the House - which politically may not be all that bad in his conservative district, which covers Utah Valley, parts of western Salt Lake County and rural eastern Utah.
That is unless, of course, he decides to seek the Democratic nomination for the Senate race against Grethe Peterson - a more traditional Democrat. Orton has long acknowledged that many in his party doubt his loyalty - which could cause problems in a party convention or primary.
At the same time, however, many Republicans have tried to paint him as a liberal. Orton has often said both extremes are wrong, that he votes his conscience and tries to represent his constituents the best he can.
"He will continue to do his job by looking at the issues, not by following any assumptions about par-tisanship," said Joel Lawson, an aide to Orton. "You don't have to be a Republican or Democrat to see the health-care crisis, the budget crisis and the crime crisis."
The new study showed that Orton voted for Clinton proposals only 62 percent of the time - the 12th-lowest among the Democrats in the House. In contrast, Republican Boehlert voted with Clinton 74 percent of the time; Morella did 72 percent; and Gilman did 69 percent.
Orton was also among the bottom 10 - No. 8, to be precise - in party loyalty among Democrats.
In votes where a majority of Democrats opposed a majority of Republicans, Orton sided with his party only 60 percent of the time. Major breaks with the party came on such things as Clinton's economic stimulus plan, his budget and his push for family and medical leave.
Other Utah members were more predictable along party lines.
Rep. Karen Shepherd, D-Utah, voted with Clinton 79 percent of the time and was loyal to a majority of the House Democrats 92 percent of the time.
Rep. Jim Hansen, R-Utah, voted with Clinton only 33 percent of the time and voted with his party 94 percent of the time.
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, voted with Clinton only 28 percent of the time - the lowest in the delegation - and with his party 96 percent of the time - the highest in the delegation.
Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, voted with Clinton 32 percent of the time and with his party 94 percent of the time.
The study also shows that Utah members have been missing very few votes in Congress. Shepherd, Orton and Hatch voted in 99 percent of recorded votes, Hansen voted in 97 percent and Bennett voted in 96 percent.
The study also shows that when the southern Democrats banded with Republicans to defeat northern Democrats, all Utahns except Shepherd were usually part of that so-called "conservative coalition."
Orton voted with that coalition 84 percent of the time; Shepherd only 35 percent; Hansen, 100 percent; Hatch, 95 percent; and Bennett, 93 percent.
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(Additional information)
Marching to another drummer?
Utahns in Congress usually followed party lines - except for maverick Rep. Bill Orton, D-Utah.
Orton Shepherd Hansen Hatch Bennett
Presidential support 62% 79% 33% 28% 32%
Party unity 60 92 94 96 94
Voting participation 99 99 97 99 96
Source: Congressional Quarterly voting studies for 1993