, Columnist
Howard Baker, President Who Never Was
Perhaps no politician in modern times has been as qualified to be president but never made it than Howard Henry Baker, who died today at age 88.
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Perhaps no politician in modern times has been as qualified to be president but never made it than Howard Henry Baker, who died today at age 88. He was a political leader of uncommon talents in short supply today. A totally secure man whose folksy warmth was matched by a sharp intellect.
The Tennessee Republican was the Senate majority leader in the early 1980s who enacted much of Ronald Reagan's agenda, while helping correct some of the excesses. In 1986, after the Iran-contra scandal, he rescued the Reagan presidency by serving as White House chief of staff. He later served with distinction as U.S. ambassador to Japan.