Grassley says Smith’s party change is disappointing

A presidential candidate who placed toward the bottom of the republican heapin Iowa surveys is changing his affiliation today to the Taxpayers Party. NewHampshire Senator Bob Smith is making the announcement on the Senate floor.Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says Smith should maintain all of his committeeappointments & seniority, even if he changes parties.Grassley says Smith should continue to hold his current positions until theend of this session in January of 2001. Grassley says the republicans “try toget along as family” and he finds it “disappointing” Smith is chosing toleave the family.Smith reportedly says the G-O-P is abandoning its core conservative values,so he’s abandoning the G-O-P. The move will bump Smith OUT of the RepublicanStrawpoll in Ames next month.