Charles Manatt, former DNC chair, dies at 75

[UrbScotty]

Source: Politico

Charles T. Manatt, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee and one of the best-known Democrats of the Reagan and Clinton eras, died Friday night at age 75 after an illness, with his family keeping vigil, friends said.

Manatt held a unique role as a leader in business, but was a devoted Democratic operative. Known as Chuck, he was the founder of the powerful Los Angeles law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP, and remained a partner. He lived in Washington at his death, and was an emeritus chairman of the board of trustees of The George Washington University. Manatt was an avid hunter, and was known for hosting a St. Patrick’s Day pheasant shoot.

As DNC chair from 1981 to 1985, he led a party that was disillusioned and out of power, with President Ronald Reagan in the White House. In 1992, Manatt was co-chairman of the Clinton-Gore campaign. President Bill Clinton later named him U.S. ambassador to the Dominican Republic, where he served from 1999 to March 2001. He was a Democratic superdelegate in 2008.

In 1987, he was named national chairman of then-Sen. Paul Simon's presidential campaign, after serving as national chairman of Gary Hart's short-lived campaign.

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