A legendary giant of the Republican party just recently passed away at his home in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife and family by his side. He was a man who played a key role not only in the GOP but also in shaping military affairs legislation. This individual passed away from heart failure at the age of 94.
Former Senator John Warner was still a key figure in the GOP even in his retirement, and his passing was announced by his chief of staff Carter Cornick.
“He was frail but he still had a lot of spunk even in his last days,” Warner’s long-time chief of staff Susan A. Magill said to the Associated Press.
Warner, who was also known for being married to Elizabeth Taylor from 1976 to 1982, had developed a reputation as a well-respected lawmaker on both sides of the aisle due to his efforts in building consensus and his work effort. He was also known as one of the few World War II who also was a U.S. Senator, giving him an opportunity to serve as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The gentleman from Virginia (and that’s what he was) served for five terms, leaving the office in 2009. One notable action in his later years was a debate in 2007 regarding the Democrats’ plan to withdraw the troops from Iraq in 2007. He led the GOP in opposing that withdrawal, stating, “What we are concerned with here would be the credibility of the United States of America.”
Just a short year later, Warner crossed the aisle and sided with the Democrats when President George W. Bush was proposing another troop “surge” in Iraq, asking, “Have we not fulfilled our commitment to the Iraqi people?”
“The reason that I am concerned with this situation so deeply is that I feel that the American citizens have given very generously with their sons and daughters,” he noted.
Warner also became well-known for sponsoring a bill that would ban the torture of suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay with fell Senators Lindsey Graham and John McCain.
Indeed, one of Warner’s most famous quotes was in regards to cooperation in the Senate where he said, “When I began serving in the Senate, three-quarters of my colleagues were veterans of the military. We did have political disagreements and we fought on the Senate floor. However, at the end of the day, we shared a drink, parted as friends, and worked together for the good of this country.”
After leaving office, Republican John Marker was succeeded by Democrat Mark Warner, no relation. Lawmakers, including his successor Mark Warner, have released heartfelt statements reacting to the news that he has recently passed away.
“We expect a great deal out of our elected officials in Virginia,” Mark Warner’s statement read. “We expect them to lead but at the same time they must remain humble. We expect them to have dignity when they serve. We expect that they will fight for what they believe in, but not make it personal,” the younger Warner’s statement read. “John Warner embodied all of that and more. I believe that we need more role models like him today. I will be forever grateful for our partnership and his mentorship. I’ll miss you, John.”
Another Virginia Democrat, Senator Tim Kaine, referred to Warner as a “dear friend” and an “unmatched leader.”
“Not having John Warner to go to for advice will leave a big void in my life. However, we can all celebrate a public servant who made us proud, stood on principle, and exemplified the best of what politics can and should be,” Kaine said in his statement.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham tweeted about Warner’s passing, writing: “It was with a great deal of sadness that I learned of the passing of former Senator John Warner of Virginia. As a Navy veteran and a former Secretary of the Navy, I knew he was one of the strongest supporters of our troops and our military.”
Do you agree that Senator John Warner was one of the last of a dying breed of U.S. politician? Feel free to comment for sure.
