Jim Leach dies at age 82

[rurallib]

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Edit to add:former Iowa congressman from eastern Iowa for 20+ years - was a republican but then changed parties after he lost his seat.

[Cairycat]

1. Some of us can remember a time when

Iowa Republicans were not batshit crazy. I miss those times.

and a side note: Congressman Leach taught a class at the University of Iowa after leaving Congress. My son was majoring in Political Science there then but didn't take his class.

[Blappy]

2. I remember liking him okay, as a Republican, before Republicans became unlikable

Beats the hell out of having MMM in the house wtf. Loebsack was okay (I interviewed him as a candidate) he was a pretty good guy and certainly more like able than Leach. Leach was basically tolerable, that is about the best epitaph I could write for him in my book.

What became unforgivable was his role in Gramm-Leach-Rudman Act (whatever exactly the name) that repealed much of the banking protection legislation from the 30's. Totally set us up for the Bush Crash of 2008, and cost me (and likely you) a lot of retirement account dollars.

Actually, Leach not standing up at all to the excesses of Bush-Cheney kinda put him on my shit list. I bid him goodbye with the updated epitaph that he didn't seem completely evil.

"If you can't say something nice about somebody, come sit by me"

[rurallib]

3. Leach not standing up to the excesses of Bush-Cheney pretty much ended

his career. Leach did a lot of machinations to maintain that appearance of being "moderate."

I have to say that during Loebsack's time in office we became pretty close friends. It was a very interesting time in our (my wife and I) lives.

[Blappy]

4. Sorry for your loss of a friend

Quite certain that he had many redeeming personal qualities and was overall a likable person. It is always difficult to lose someone close to you, and I apologize to you, rurallib, for my harsh comments and mean-sounding attempts at an epitaph for the man. I never met him, personally. He was indeed light years more preferable than today's maga maniacs.

[rurallib]

5. Whoops - Leach wasn't exactly a friend - my phrasing was confusing

But Loebsack and I became close during his run and his subsequent runs.

I did have some talks with Leach and my opinion was that he was always holding back on what he really wanted to say. There was no doubt leadership had him on a short leash during the W years.