Former three-term Alabama Sen. Howell Heflin (Dem) dies at 83

[Wonk]

Former U.S. Sen. Howell Heflin, who served as Alabama's chief justice before becoming a key arbiter of senatorial behavior during three terms in Washington, has died, a family member said Tuesday. He was 83.

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http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050329/APN/503291105&cachetime=3&template=dateline

[QC]

1. Here's to a loyal Democrat.

Got to meet Senator Heflin once. Nobody could do the "I'm just a simple country lawyer" persona better than he--it was like Matlock come to life. Behind it, though, he was a fine legal scholar and a very canny legislator. And he was a staunch Democrat. Jeff Sessions will never fill his shoes.

[salin]

8. He was...

I watched him numerous times in the Senate in the mid eighties. There wasn't the rift there is today. He worked just as welll with liberal Ohio Metzembaum as he did with more centrist Texan Benston. I enjoyed listeningto him.

RIP Senator Heflin.

[BlueManDude]

2. Heflin seemed like a decent man - did Shelby replace him?

I remember when Shelby was a "Democrat". Condolences to Sen. Heflin's family.

[Zynx]

4. I'm pretty sure it was Sessions.

Shelby took office in 1994.

[Stuckinthebush]

19. Nope....Sessions

Shelby was the Junior Senator while Heflin was the Senior.

Then Shelby turned on the Democrats who voted him in and became a Republican in mid-office because he just couldn't stand Bill Clinton.

I'll never forgive him.

Heflin was a good Democrat. He did have that panties incident late in his career, though. I never did quite figure that one out.

[quaoar]

3. Rest in peace, Senator

I, too, got to meet Howell Heflin. He was a fine senator and a great Democrat.

I'll never forget his description of "Grey Poupon" Republicans.

[DemoTex]

5. Sen. Howell Heflin (D-ALA). Decent man. WWII hero. Family friend.

RIP Senator Heflin.


Howell Heflin
Gentle Giant

[quaoar]

6. This especially sucks

because just yesterday longtime Democratic Rep. Tom Bevill died.

[DemoTex]

15. That I did not know! RIP Tom Bevill. Peace to your family and friends.

Sonny Callahan , then the Republican congressman from Mobile , would later be chairman of the same energy and water panel as Mr. Bevill. "He was a quiet, unassuming man. If you did you not know how powerful he was, you would have never dreamed he was one of the most powerful men in the country," Callahan said.

I know Sonny very well. Sonny is a fun guy at the poker table. Especially on his houseboat. He is a fun guy at RT's in Arlandria over big plates of great food (and a haunt of the Clinton's and the Gore's). This quote is quintessential Callahan or quintessential Bu$h. It is an attempt at a kind word. Thanks Sonny. Now switch parties in your retirement!


Tom Bevill

On edit: Just found out from a family member very close to this, that Sonny Callahan talked to Howell Heflin after Bevill's death yesterday. Heflin and Callahan were scheduled to have lunch together today. Callahan (R) is reeling from two in two days. Alabama Democrats are in total shock. Watch for platitudes from Trof's rep Jo Bonner (1st district of Alerbamer).

[Debau2005]

7. Nice man

I interned for him while I was in college in the 80's. He was a good man.

[newyawker99]

24. Hi Debau2005!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[bamademo]

9. That's so sad.

He was a good man. We affectionately called him Huge Heflin here in Alabama.

[JohnLocke]

10. Rest in peace, Senator!

You're far better than any other Alabama senator!

[DinahMoeHum]

11. Three donkey kicks and a toast. . .

Farewell, Senator Heflin.

:kick::kick::kick:
:toast:

[slackmaster]

12. He had a sense of humor

Once while TV crews were trying to film Senator Ted Kennedy's tryst with some woman on a yacht Heflin remarked "It appears the senator has changed his position on off-shore drillin'!"

[TroglodyteScholar]

16. LOL @ offshore drillin'

RIP Senator.....

[solinvictus]

13. He was a great man...

we thought the world of him here in Alabama and wish someone of his caliber was our Senator now, more than ever.

[The_Casual_Observer]

14. Heflin, those were the days of the foghorn leghorn style

southern politicians, it seemed more like America when those guys were in the mix running things.

[flaminbats]

17. among the last great southern Democrats..

having the courage of his convictions, the political savvy of Lyndon Johnson, and widespread popular support of voters from one the reddest states in the country.

[QC]

18. kick!

:kick:

[autorank]

20. Gentleman, scholar, patriot. RIP Senator.

[Moderator]

21. kick to combine

[davidinalameda]

22. Former Sen. Howell Heflin dies at 83

http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/03/30/obit.heflin.ap/index.html

Former U.S. Sen. Howell Heflin, a popular Alabama politician who served three terms in Washington, has died, lawmakers announced Tuesday. He was 83.

Heflin's death was announced on the floor of the state Senate, which held a moment of silence.

The cause of death was not immediately clear. Heflin had undergone heart procedures in recent years and had been hospitalized for the last couple of days, according to a longtime friend, Joseph Ware, at Heflin's home in Tuscumbia.

[Deep13]

23. I remember ...

... him speaking against the Bork nomination.