But he also gained a reputation for arrogance and irascibility; aides hope things will be different this year.
This year, aides to the Governor are desperately hoping to avoid a repeat of 1986.
But committee members and aides hoped he could answer the panel's questions, even on a televised hookup.
He and his aides are hoping for the better version, and will devote much of the weekend to debate preparation.
And while her aides had hoped the primary might put to rest questions about her political skills, it might have done the opposite.
And the Senator's aides hope to recover the full amount.
What Governor Whitman's aides hope is that voters forget all about this bond business during the summer.
The aides hope to hire a senior public relations person.
Some aides were hoping this week that the President's order to bomb terrorists' sites could have a similar effect.
The committee is scheduled to begin drafting the tax bill on Wednesday, and aides hoped the package could be completed this week.