Anyone here ever heard of Edward Brooke?

He was a BLACK REPUBLICAN senator in MA from 1967 to 1979.

...the first popularly elected Black senator

And today's republicans never mention him, bacause his views are NOT those of today's republicans.

actually, many Republicans from the North supported Civil Rights. I guess they can't use him as an example.

Had mighty fine lifestyle, yes he did. Livin high off the hog.

He was a decent guy, for the most part, but the Boston Globe went after him for Real Estate deals or something.

Plus he had a "controversial" wife (Italian-met during WW2).

I actually voted FOR him and against Tsongas in one of my first elections,

But he lost, unfairly, thanks to Globe smears.

Kind of like the ones they are aiming at Kerry right now.

I also remember that he had well balanced view on politics and issues. Something both parties should take note of.

Both parties now have Senators that have views contrary to their party "Norm" you just never see them for the most part in mainstream media. You don't have to be far left or far right to have an idea of what is the "Right" ( no pun intended ) way to handle American issues. :bounce:

I believe the mainstream public is now finally getting this.

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

I lived in DC for a couple of years when I was young and one of my roommates in DC used to work for him when she lived in Boston. Although, I was not too political at the time I remember her saying how nice he was and she had an autographed copy of some book.

The repugs have treated him quite badly...it's as if Brooks never existed. :puke:

Senator Brooke was a very moderate Republican and one of the first Afro-Americans elected to the US Senate in the 20th century. Considering how ultra-conservative the GOP has become, small wonder that today's GOP is seeing to it that his memory remains down the memory hole.

"Upon returning to the city of his birth, Brooke received a standing ovation as he was escorted down the aisle of the Senate chamber by the senior senator from Massachusetts, Edward Kennedy, at his swearing-in ceremony. He wished his father had been in the gallery and thought about his father's frustrations about not having the opportunity to do more. His father would not have "foreseen that some day his son would sit in the U.S. Senate," Brooke wrote. He continued: There was one scene I shall never forget. As I left the Capitol building I noticed hundreds of high-school students crowding the steps, some from Mississippi and some from Cardozo High School in Washington. I thought of what my grandmother used to say--"Stay in your place." This advice was given to protect me from injury, because if you didn't follow this advice, you knew what would happen. But this was a statement I never could accept. Your place is anywhere you want to make it."

http://www.africanpubs.com/Apps/bios/1010BrookeEdward.asp?pic=none

Just his name reminds me of days not so long ago when I could still recognize the country that I live in.

There are a lot of Republicans that could never be elected now. Charles Percy, John Heinz, Pete McCloskey, Jacob Javits, maybe not even Barry Goldwater, as he was pro-choice and believed that gays should be allowed to serve openly in the army.

I never use language like that here, but it's true. Once there were honorable Republicans. Not any more.

there is a dearth of these 2day.