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Goodbye, Sir
Author: Raine    Date: 12/06/2021 13:59:46

From Today's WaPo Editorial Board: . I am posting this in full for those not behind the paywall.
When he ran for president as the Republican nominee in 1996, Bob Dole harkened back to his Kansas upbringing and the ethic of duty, obligation and perseverance that he believed characterized his generation and those who shaped it. “Let me be the bridge to a time of tranquility, faith and confidence in action,” he said. Looking back has rarely been an ideal campaign strategy in forward-leaning America, and Mr. Dole’s opponent, incumbent Bill Clinton, was quick to respond: “We do not need to build a bridge to the past, we need to build a bridge to the future.”

In the years since, the rise of a crude and divisive politics in America, the decline in respect for institutions and the disdain for consensus have given us a better idea of what Mr. Dole, who died Sunday at the age of 98, was getting at. He looked back on his own life — perhaps idealizing it a bit, as most do — and reflected on what it had taken for a typical Kansas family of his time to get through the calamities of Depression and war. His family made do in hard times by moving into the basement and renting out the rest of their house. Mr. Dole left college as a war beckoned his generation to duty. He returned to Kansas grievously wounded, broken in body, dependent on the kindness and concern of others, who literally brought him back to life.

Mr. Dole never fully healed. He lived the rest of his life with pain and impairment and pursued his political career with a determination that might be called grim were it not for an acerbic and sometimes subversive sense of humor that never left him. Mr. Dole came to Washington in 1961 as simply another conservative Midwestern congressman — conservative at least by the standards of the time — with large ambitions. He moved on to the Senate eight years later and eventually into the leadership of his party in that chamber, where he served for more than a decade until leaving for his unsuccessful run at the presidency in 1996.

Mr. Dole was a sometimes controversial figure occasionally given, especially early in his career, to irritated outbursts. None of that should obscure the substance and significance of his accomplishments. He led — as minority and majority leader — with a sense of the need to get things done. We didn’t always agree with him, but on big matters such as the vital civil rights bills of the 1960s and later on expanding food stamp coverage, he took strong and principled stands in favor. And he worked with members of both parties.

“The Senate does not reward extremes,” said a colleague, Bill Bradley of New Jersey, when Mr. Dole left that body in June 1996. Mr. Dole, he continued, “knew how to use power because he understood how to make things happen in the center of this institution. And that is ultimately built on a couple of personal facts. I mean, he always kept his word. He listened very carefully. He never held a grudge.”

This was, keep in mind, a prominent Democrat discussing the leader of the Senate’s Republicans, and it was barely 25 years ago. Kind of makes you wish there really was a bridge to the past.
I vote for Bill Clinton that election year, I knew what party I was more aligned with. I will say this, There are no more members of that party that have decency anymore. If you find one, let me know.

&
Raine


 
 

14 comments (Latest Comment: 12/06/2021 20:00:19 by Raine)
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Comment by Raine on 12/06/2021 14:24:51
Good Morning.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 12/06/2021 14:48:22
Good morning, bloggers!!!!

I disagreed with Bob Dole politically. However, I can imagine us having a civil conversation. I am not sure that would happen today. Except for Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, and a handful of others, the leaders of the GOP are part of a cult of personality reminiscent of those of foreign dictators.


Comment by wickedpam on 12/06/2021 14:56:31
Morning



Sorry I didn't get to send out Blogger Joe this weekend - it was very busy. If you still want to join in, make sure to email me by noon (EST) today (12-6) - [email protected]



Comment by Raine on 12/06/2021 15:07:33
Seems they didn't like being called out by Millbank --

he has the receipts.



Comment by BobR on 12/06/2021 15:16:34
The "Greatest Generation" knew first-hand the struggles of the average American, as well as the consequences of war. The Boeberts and MTGs of the world are barely educated, much less cognizant of the importance of their responsibilities to this country.

Comment by BobR on 12/06/2021 15:55:03
Comment by Scoopster on 12/06/2021 16:54:31
Mornin' all! Soo yeah I was up til 5am playing the new Final Fantasy XIV expansion!

Quote by wickedpam:
Morning
Sorry I didn't get to send out Blogger Joe this weekend - it was very busy. If you still want to join in, make sure to email me by noon (EST) today (12-6) - [email protected]

Oooh ooh! I just emailed you too!


Comment by livingonli on 12/06/2021 17:12:09
Obviously because of my financial situation, I can't do Blogger Joe again this year. If anyone wants to send me anything, my address is still the same except I was moved from Unit 21 to 31 since I am no longer in wound care, but anything addressed to 21 will still get to me.

Comment by wickedpam on 12/06/2021 17:24:47
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all! Soo yeah I was up til 5am playing the new Final Fantasy XIV expansion!

Quote by wickedpam:
Morning
Sorry I didn't get to send out Blogger Joe this weekend - it was very busy. If you still want to join in, make sure to email me by noon (EST) today (12-6) - [email protected]

Oooh ooh! I just emailed you too!



Awesome :D

Comment by wickedpam on 12/06/2021 17:25:20
Quote by livingonli:
Obviously because of my financial situation, I can't do Blogger Joe again this year. If anyone wants to send me anything, my address is still the same except I was moved from Unit 21 to 31 since I am no longer in wound care, but anything addressed to 21 will still get to me.





Comment by livingonli on 12/06/2021 17:27:44
Comment by wickedpam on 12/06/2021 18:28:17
my brain has vaper locked on the name draw - need to start keeping notes on who has who every year - sorry if anyone gets a repeat person

Comment by wickedpam on 12/06/2021 18:45:39
Ok - everyone's Blogger Joe went out - please let me know if you didn't get one

Comment by Raine on 12/06/2021 20:00:19
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by livingonli:
Obviously because of my financial situation, I can't do Blogger Joe again this year. If anyone wants to send me anything, my address is still the same except I was moved from Unit 21 to 31 since I am no longer in wound care, but anything addressed to 21 will still get to me.



same.