Some progressive lobbyists, who thought Jeff Smith might be “one of their own” in the state Senate, have been at times surprised by his first few months in Jeff. City. Where they expected a possible ally, they often are finding just another legislator that has to be lobbied and persuaded on progressive issues that were his campaign bread and butter, such as furthering public health care. Progressives were surprised Smith wasn’t a slam dunk in beating SB577, the Republican Medicaid bill. He’s no Joan Bray.