I've been quoting all the criticism of Max Baucus for his vote on the prescription drug benefit, so the least I can do is give some of his spin:

“'We have passed landmark prescription drug legislation and delivered on our promise to America’s seniors,' said Baucus, who as the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee one was of only two Democrats picked to iron out the final details of the bill. 'I’ve worked with doctors, pharmacists, hospitals boards, and seniors all across Montana for more than a decade to provide seniors with a prescription drug benefit. This bill is not perfect. But it brings us one step closer to ensuring seniors will never again have to choose between paying the bills and buying the medicine they need. I’m very proud of my work on this bill.'”

Baucus also defended the provision allowing a role for private insurers in the bill, arguing that it was superior to the earlier House bill. "Baucus opposed that plan because he said it would have led to higher monthly premiums for seniors. Instead, the senior senator negotiated a time-limited pilot program in six major metropolitan areas that won’t take affect [sic] until 2010 and won’t be in Montana, he said. "