Wonderful tribute to a long time friend. Howard Baker never stopped working for Tennessee and always had time for a kind word. He makes me proud to have grown up in Scott County and to have been raised with the values of my Lincoln Republican ancestors.
Unfortunately Baker could not be elected today in Tennessee. Sad.
I really enjoyed your article Keel. We could really use a few statesmen like Howard Baker right now. Our country is so fractured right now. He had such a gift for reaching across the aisle and making common sense solutions. Unfortunately right now that seems to be a thing of the past.
Thanks, Ted. Good comment, but Baker’s leadership style does NOT have to be a “thing of the past.” It mainly will take some courage, willingness to stand against the current shallow “populism” that has led us away from enlightened government. Not an easy combination, granted, but a new generation of leaders can do this, in my hopeful view.
Many of us who enjoy and rely of Field Notes commentary have special memories of Sen. Baker. (I hope you'll interview the first graduates of the Baker School.) I humbly add that Sen. Baker was also a son, a husband and a father. I was privileged to see him in a non-senatorial role where his humanity was at the forefront. It's not surprising that a man who cared deeply on political issues cared just as passionately on personal issues. In fact, it's what made him different than the rest.
I've never ever been a Republican but I always admired Baker. Surely wish we had a few Republicans like him in the Senate and House today.
Nor have I, and I agree with you.
Proud to have been a Republican when they were people of honor.
Wonderful tribute to a long time friend. Howard Baker never stopped working for Tennessee and always had time for a kind word. He makes me proud to have grown up in Scott County and to have been raised with the values of my Lincoln Republican ancestors.
Unfortunately Baker could not be elected today in Tennessee. Sad.
Probably true, sadly.
Same could be said of other moderate progressives like Kefauver, McWherter, etal.
I really enjoyed your article Keel. We could really use a few statesmen like Howard Baker right now. Our country is so fractured right now. He had such a gift for reaching across the aisle and making common sense solutions. Unfortunately right now that seems to be a thing of the past.
Thanks, Ted. Good comment, but Baker’s leadership style does NOT have to be a “thing of the past.” It mainly will take some courage, willingness to stand against the current shallow “populism” that has led us away from enlightened government. Not an easy combination, granted, but a new generation of leaders can do this, in my hopeful view.
Many of us who enjoy and rely of Field Notes commentary have special memories of Sen. Baker. (I hope you'll interview the first graduates of the Baker School.) I humbly add that Sen. Baker was also a son, a husband and a father. I was privileged to see him in a non-senatorial role where his humanity was at the forefront. It's not surprising that a man who cared deeply on political issues cared just as passionately on personal issues. In fact, it's what made him different than the rest.
Well said, Steve. Thank you.
Great read
The great statesmen are slowly passing and none are wanting to replace them
And so it goes
What a great reminder that it is possible to disagree, but still work together for the greater good. After all, “The other fellow may be right.”
The other fellow might be right. Imagine that! Bredesen and Bill Haslam have an excellent podcast with that name that I heartily recommend.
Great piece, Keel.
Once again.
Wow! You had quite a weekend! Love the reading about the TN history!
Nice article, Keel.
Keith Simmons