Well, he certainly relies on sound bites and platitudes and his deep compassion for the "middle class." We have no idea how he defines that. Actually, Tester struck me as an archtypical politician. He will look out for himself, and Montana to the extent that it helps him, will go along to get along, will very much enjoy being treated the way senators are treated in DC (i.e, like demi-gods), and will work under the radar to feather his nest. If he is a deep thinker, it was not on display today.
I agree ... but it's the sound bits that people hear .. it's not what actually goes on in DC that the public hears about