Portrait of a Principled Centrist

The Orange County Register has a nice profile of Tom Campbell, prominent centrist and, as the article says, "No Mr. Popularity."

There's an interesting story in Tom Campbell's political history (actually, several, but I'm going to focus on one of them). In 1992, the popular moderate Republican congressman (from my home district) was running for the US Senate seat being vacated by Alan Cranston. polls indicated that once he cleared the primary he would have a clear run to the Senate against a generally weak field of Democrats. Congresswoman Barbara Boxer admits to being within a day of quiting the race because of the poor poll results. Then, as it often does in California Politics, "stuff happened". Campbell lost the primary after splitting votes with Sonny Bono and a series of nasty attacks from State conservatives. Los Angeles TV commentator Bruce Herschensohn got the nod instead. Boxer's kids talked her out of quiting, she finished better than expected in the primary and, with a strong conservative opponent rather than the moderate Campbell, managed to pull out a victory. The California Republican party was spared the shame of a moderate Republican in the Senate and the country got Barbara Boxer. Are you happy with that trade?

Tom was often described as "the most cerebral member of the House", when he was in Congress, which isn't saying much, I admit. He's a budget hawk with the credentials to back up his convictions. He's now in Sacramento doing courageous service to taking the flak for the Governor over the budget. Arnold has attracted some good, solid folks to Sacramento to back him up on policy issues and the hard work of the executive branch.

Campbell has what even a former opponent called a "beautiful pedigree." Three degrees from the University of Chicago, including a doctorate in economics under Milton Friedman, who persuaded Campbell to break with his father's New Deal Democrat convictions. Harvard Law School. White House Fellow. Supreme Court clerk. Tenured professor at Stanford Law School. Ten years in Congress. Two years in the state Senate.

Schwarzenegger staffers call Campbell "The Genius." He is courtly, with a youthful, almost elfin face and carefully combed curly gray hair. He always wears a suit. He has been spotted gardening in slacks and a button-down shirt.

A self-described libertarian, Campbell believes in limiting government and lowering taxes. He also favors abortion rights, and once wrote of gay marriage: "I believe homosexual couples should have all the rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples."

In crowds, he remembers everyone's name. Ernie Konnyu, whom Campbell beat in his first congressional race, recalls running into Campbell some years later.

"He says, 'Please, Ernie, may I join you in saying hello to (your wife) Lillian.' He walks over to our table and he says hello to everyone at our table. The gentleman's gentleman. I got a kick out of it. He overdoes it to a point where it's a little bit too sweet. But it's sincere. That's him."

One of the reasons I am putting the time into pushing reform and centrism is my respect and fondness for my old congressman, and the lack of more like him in politics.