Difference between revisions of "Mike Mansfield"
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'''Mike Mansfield''' (1903-2001) a Democrat, represented Montana in the House (1942-52) and Senate (1952-76), serving as Senate Majority Leader (1961-76); he ended his career as ambassador to Japan (1977-88). | '''Mike Mansfield''' (1903-2001) a Democrat, represented Montana in the House (1942-52) and Senate (1952-76), serving as Senate Majority Leader (1961-76); he ended his career as ambassador to Japan (1977-88). | ||
==Career== | ==Career== | ||
| − | Born to a poor Irish Catholic family in New York City, when his mother dies in 1906 he was sent to live with relatives in Montana. He lied about his age and joined the military in 1917, serving in the Navy, Army and Marines until 1922. After years as a copper miner in Butte, he graduated with BA and MA degrees from Montana State University in 1933 and 1934. mansfield stayed on a s a professor of Latin American and Asian history. He defeated Republican [[ | + | Born to a poor Irish Catholic family in New York City, when his mother dies in 1906 he was sent to live with relatives in Montana. He lied about his age and joined the military in 1917, serving in the Navy, Army and Marines until 1922. After years as a copper miner in Butte, he graduated with BA and MA degrees from Montana State University in 1933 and 1934. mansfield stayed on a s a professor of Latin American and Asian history. He defeated Republican [[Jeannette Rankin]] for Congress in 1942, and was assigned to the Foreign Affairs Committee, where he specialized in Asian issues. |
Elected to the Senate in 1953 following ten years in the House, Mansfield gained a reputation for his expertise in foreign policy, particularly in the Far East, and for his informality and low-keyed effectiveness. Mansfield became majority leader in 1961 [[following Lyndon Johnson]]'s departure for the vice presidency, and immediately replaced Johnson's bullying, highly partisan style with one of respectful collegiality and openness. Although criticized by some as overly accommodating, Mansfield's leadership paved the way for cross-party alliances, particularly on civil rights legislation in the mid-1960s, and his style has been adopted by most of his successors in the post. | Elected to the Senate in 1953 following ten years in the House, Mansfield gained a reputation for his expertise in foreign policy, particularly in the Far East, and for his informality and low-keyed effectiveness. Mansfield became majority leader in 1961 [[following Lyndon Johnson]]'s departure for the vice presidency, and immediately replaced Johnson's bullying, highly partisan style with one of respectful collegiality and openness. Although criticized by some as overly accommodating, Mansfield's leadership paved the way for cross-party alliances, particularly on civil rights legislation in the mid-1960s, and his style has been adopted by most of his successors in the post. | ||
Revision as of 12:00, August 19, 2009
Mike Mansfield (1903-2001) a Democrat, represented Montana in the House (1942-52) and Senate (1952-76), serving as Senate Majority Leader (1961-76); he ended his career as ambassador to Japan (1977-88).
Career
Born to a poor Irish Catholic family in New York City, when his mother dies in 1906 he was sent to live with relatives in Montana. He lied about his age and joined the military in 1917, serving in the Navy, Army and Marines until 1922. After years as a copper miner in Butte, he graduated with BA and MA degrees from Montana State University in 1933 and 1934. mansfield stayed on a s a professor of Latin American and Asian history. He defeated Republican Jeannette Rankin for Congress in 1942, and was assigned to the Foreign Affairs Committee, where he specialized in Asian issues.
Elected to the Senate in 1953 following ten years in the House, Mansfield gained a reputation for his expertise in foreign policy, particularly in the Far East, and for his informality and low-keyed effectiveness. Mansfield became majority leader in 1961 following Lyndon Johnson's departure for the vice presidency, and immediately replaced Johnson's bullying, highly partisan style with one of respectful collegiality and openness. Although criticized by some as overly accommodating, Mansfield's leadership paved the way for cross-party alliances, particularly on civil rights legislation in the mid-1960s, and his style has been adopted by most of his successors in the post.
Further reading
- Baldwin, Louis. Hon. Politician: Mike Mansfield of Montana. (1979). 362 pp.