Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch just passed away at the age of 88. With the GOP facing an identity crisis on the state and federal levels, it is worth pausing to eulogize this classic Republican. In the tradition of the late Jack Kemp, Sen. Hatch stood for the proposition that an elected official could hold conflicting views and respect political adversaries simultaneously. Kind and compassionate, he was always prepared to compromise. In his own words: “… [I]f we start with the premise that every member’s intent is to improve our country and the life of our citizens, then our disagreements are logical, not personal.” If only!
Originally posted for the Orlando Sentinel’s Central Florida 100.
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