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Lloyd Bentsen (1921-2006) is best known for being the Democratic Party’s vice-presidential running mate in 1988, and for uttering this line at Dan Quayle during the VP debate: “I served with Jack Kennedy, I knew Jack Kennedy, Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy.” But before that, Bentsen served in the Senate for 22 years (from 1971-1993), and he was chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee. Bentsen also was Clinton’s Treasury secretary from 1993-1994.
Phil Gramm (R-Texas)
Phil Gramm (1942-present) perhaps best embodies how southern Democrats transformed into southern Republicans. Gramm, a former economics professor at Texas A&M, began his political career as a Democratic congressman, but he later switched parties. He served in the U.S. Senate from 1985 to 2002, chairing the Senate Banking Committee and co-authoring the deficit-reduction Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act.
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Bentsen, cut his political teeth with Al Gore's father in the 60's when the Democrat party was in the heat of fighting to keep blacks out of white schools. Funny first read thinks historical comparison finds one good campaign jab as the most important part of history. I thought when the article said some politicians find themselves on the wrong side of history, it was not going to be a propaganda piece. Once again ignoring Democrats history as the party that defended slavery and fought for segregation. The ability of most media sources to overlook this recent history of a party is why they are perceived as party water carriers. This could have been an interesting article had the author not had an agenda to slant his view of historical comparison. They called themselves Dixiecrats and refered to themselves as the solid south. We should remember history correctly. This was the party of the KKK, for real, not just as part of popular name calling that happens in forums today.
Yes, you should remember history correctly.
Like remembering that the Dixiecrats got so pissed that most of them defected and became republicans.
Lloyd Bentsen served in the House of Representatives from 1949-1955, during which time he voted to repeal the poll tax, a courageous stand in those times, hardly the pose of bigot as Mr. Sane alleges. Bentsen was a leader of the "Truman Democrats," not a defender of slavery and segregation. Please be so kind as obtain some facts before posting in the future.
I'm not really sure what the point of this exercise is, perhaps to remind us when Congress mattered? Anyway, I'm sure I'll learn something, reading everyone's comments.
Oh, let me put in a good word for Maine's senators Margaret Chase Smith, Ed Muskie and George Mitchell.
from wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_Conscience
The Declaration of Conscience was a speech made by Senator Margaret Chase Smith on June 1, 1950, less than four months after Senator Joe McCarthy's infamous "Wheeling Speech," on February 9, 1950. It also refers to the text of the speech itself, which was endorsed by six other moderate/liberal Republicans. In it, she criticized national leadership and called for the country, the United States Senate, and the Republican Party to re-examine the tactics used by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) and (without naming him) Senator Joe McCarthy. She stated the basic principles of "Americanism" were:
Smith strongly voiced concern that those who exercised those beliefs at that time risked being labeled communist or fascist.
Amy, all three of those Maine senators will be our on list.
yay!
The post from Sane-2794278 incredibly misrepresents Sen. Bentsen's career.
Bentsen was in private business from 1955 until his run for the Senate in 1970.
Kristin, it would be right to say it does not reflect Mr. Bentsen's current view. That is because nobody in politics today can claim that view and survive. He was a business man in 1955, but he was also very active in the Democrat party that fought for segregation in the 60's. He was just not an elected official yet. So not an incredible misrepresentation.
And congratulations Amy on your state reps making the list. I have yet to visit your state, but lobster rolls in Maine are on my bucket list.
Thank you. You're welcome to come up anytime. I recommend July. The snow may be melted by then. : )
I don not believe if someone changes parties, the do not have the best interest of the American people they are representing. The change in party is for personal gain.