Lee cuts new path by working with Democrats
WASHINGTON — It wasn't often that you saw Bill Paxon or Tom Reynolds standing next to a Democratic congressman at a press conference — but their successor has done just that twice in the last two months.
In other words, Rep. Chris Lee, the Clarence businessman turned Republican congressman, isn't exactly following the footsteps of his predecessors.
Instead, he's forging his own path, teaming with Democratic Reps. Brian Higgins and Louise Slaughter on local initiatives and bucking the GOP on its budget plans and an important children's health care bill.
It's hardly what we could have expected from a congressman who succeeds three consecutive right-wing superstars (including the late Jack Kemp, who tended to have better relations with his Democratic colleagues than Paxon or Reynolds).
But then again, it was sort of hard to know what to expect from Lee, given that he had never before held public office.
Now, though, it is becoming clear that Lee is his own man — which, of course, doesn't sit well with everybody. Some Republicans deride him as the country-club sort who's too quick to compromise and too reluctant to follow the party line.
So, what do you think? How is Lee doing after four months in office?
— Jerry Zremski
