National Perspective — David Shribman — September 27, 2017

David Shribman

WASHINGTON, D.C. — There was a time, within living memory, when giants strode the Senate chamber.

Henry M. Jackson of Washington state, vigilant spokesman for national security. Howard Baker Jr. of Tennessee, exemplar of reasonableness. Mike Mansfield of Montana, fount of wisdom. Jacob Javits of New York, introspective and progressive. Richard Lugar of Indiana, steady and dependable. Abraham Ribicoff of Connecticut, sentinel of integrity. Robert F. Wagner of New York, brave defender of labor. Arthur Vandenberg of Michigan, devout isolationist turned devoted internationalist. Everett Dirksen of Illinois, personification of practicality. Plus, two men of roiling partisanship, Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas, unlikely booster of civil rights, and Robert J. Dole of Kansas, polished in the nuance of legislating.

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