A great liberal has passed away: Former Senator Howard Metzenbaum

[LynneSin]

http://www.rawstory.com/news/mochila/Former_Ohio_Sen_Howard_Metzenbaum_d_03122008.htmlFormer Ohio Sen. Howard Metzenbaum dies

Former Ohio Sen. Howard Metzenbaum Dies at Age 90

Staff
AP News

Mar 12, 2008 22:44 EST

Former Sen. Howard Metzenbaum, an Ohio Democrat who was a feisty self-made millionaire before he began a long career fighting big business in the Senate, died Wednesday night. He was 90.

Metzenbaum died at his home near Fort Lauderdale, Fla., said Joel Johnson, his former chief of staff. No cause was given.

During 18 years on Capitol Hill, until his retirement in 1995, Metzenbaum came to be known as "Senator No" and "Headline Howard" for his abilities to block legislation and get publicity for himself.

He was a cantankerous firebrand who didn't need a microphone to hold a full auditorium spellbound while dropping rhetorical bombs on big oil companies, the insurance industry, savings and loans, and the National Rifle Association, to name just a few favorite targets.

<<<<<snip>>>>>>

When other liberals shied away from that label, Metzenbaum embraced it, winning re-election in 1988 from Ohio voters who chose Republicans for governor and president, and by wider margins than either George Voinovich or George H.W. Bush.

Thank you Howard Metzenbaum - for your great years of service. YOu make me proud to slap the LIBERAL title to my name!

[no_hypocrisy]

1. In April, 1992, New York Law School was honored by Sen. Metzenbaum

giving a speech at the same time that Corliss Lamont, one of the founders of the American Civil Liberties Union, was speaking. It was a hard choice to decide which luminary to hear.

[sasquatch]

2. A great Ohioan has passed away today

:patriot:
RIP my good man

[ellie]

3. He used to be my senator!

He was a great American and a great liberal. RIP Senator.

[pansypoo53219]

4. one of my favorites

when i started watching Cspan. cripes 18 and new other states reps.

[coffeenap]

5. He was my cousins' closest friend.

In recent years he felt unappreciated, y'all, and like a fish out of water. When I asked my parents to send him my greetings and express my appreciation for what he had done, he told them I must be the only one left who felt that way. He was my first liberal local hero and an inspiration.

So,I join you in thanking him and wishing him a fond farewell.

[Hissyspit]

7. I'm glad he lived long enough to see Bush become a laughing stock.

[Va Lefty]

6. Farewell, Senator

A great friend of organized labor and a great Democrat. RIP

[Hissyspit]

8. Photo:

[Hissyspit]

10. Another:

[brentspeak]

9. Senator Metzenbaum lived to see that he was right about deregulation

He fought valiantly against Reagan and Bush's ultimately successful attempts to deregulate everything. And now, the chickens of deregulation are coming home to roost for our poor nation.

RIP, Senator.