Mark O. Hatfield, Republican Champion of Liberal Causes, Dies at 89

[FreeStateDemocrat]

Source: NY Times

By ADAM CLYMER
Published: August 8, 2011
Mark O. Hatfield, a liberal Republican who challenged his party’s positions on the Vietnam War and on a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution during his 30 years as a Senator from Oregon, died on Sunday in Portland, Ore. He was 89.

His death was confirmed by Gerry Frank, a longtime aide.

Mr. Hatfield served in the Senate from 1967 to 1997, spending eight years as chairman of the Appropriations Committee. But he came out against the war even earlier, while serving his second term as governor of Oregon.

At a meeting of the National Governors Association on July 28, 1965, as his colleagues rallied behind President Lyndon B. Johnson, Mr. Hatfield said, “I cannot support the president on what he has done so far.” He complained that Mr. Johnson’s escalation of the war had American troops taking over South Vietnam’s responsibility “to win or lose.”



Read more: http://www.democraticunderground.com//discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=102

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This guy was amazing, I would vote for him instead of most so called Democrats in both Houses and the White House.

[blueclown]

1. A liberal Republican - a now extinct breed.

RIP.

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. He would be considered a far left Democrat these days

A good man that did a lot for Oregon's education system and the US.

[Hawaii Hiker]

3. They really use to have liberal republicans back in the day

Hatfield, Jacob Javits, Nelson Rockefeller, Bob Packwood, Lincoln Chaffee...

Now look at the GOP....Jim DeMint, Tom Coburn, and countless more...Nothing but mean spirited, angry, racist, vile SOB's....

[NCarolinawoman]

5. Charles (Chuck) Percy of Illinois. I think he was another good guy. n/t

[Rowdyboy]

6. When I was 18 I sent my first political contribution to Chuck Percy....

He was a top notch guy. So was Hatfield and Chuck Mathias. Republicans weren't all assholes back in the day.

[Jankyn]

4. He was very loved in my section of Oregon...

...back when I was a kid.