In my 68 years, I’ve encountered a number of politicians and otherwise famous people. Some have been memorable, more merely forgettable, and some were pompous jerks. (F. Lee Bailey comes to mind.) Some I found to be among the most hypocritical individuals you would ever meet.
In 2008, I met Bill Clinton, and though I thought little of his trysts, I was amazed at how thoughtful and soft-spoken he was. His famous skill for empathy was also quite apparent and impressive. But on the whole, there have been few who truly impressed me.
The late Sen. Birch Bayh did. He was not only admirable but quite accomplished. Other than the Bill of Rights, written by a group of men in an act of compromise, no person other than Bayh authored two constitutional amendments. One has been frequently discussed of late but has yet to be enforced. The other gave men and women old enough to die for their country the right to vote. That is such a given now, but it was a huge step at the time.
People tend to forget that Bayh authored a third amendment to the Constitution, but the Equal Rights for Women Amendment failed ratification among the states. That effort, alongside his passage of Title IX, came from his firm conviction that women deserved every right entitled to men. Those efforts, like his fight for civil rights, were reflective of his determination to strive for fairness and equality for all Americans.
Sen. Bayh was committed to serving the people rather than special interests. That is unfortunately rare today. So, too, is the willingness he demonstrated for problem-solving in lieu of partisanship or ideology. His attitude on Capitol Hill remind me of the lyrics sung by Dave Mason: “There aren’t no good guys, there aren’t no bad guys, there’s only you and me and we just disagree.” Birch worked closely with people on both sides of the aisle by first seeking what they had in common and working from that point to seek solutions. Another point about the late senator I admired: He had a forward-looking vision.
A second Indiana politician I know shares those traits. South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg has shockingly tossed his hat into the race for president. While I don’t give him much of a chance to garner the nomination, I do believe he, like Birch Bayh, offers much of what America needs today.
I first met Buttigieg when he was a 29-year-old candidate for state office. Like Bayh, he is very accomplished. I was impressed by the fact that he had accomplished more by that tender age than most men do in a lifetime. I was, and remain, impressed with his vision for America and the clarity with which he presents that vision. He recently stated that nothing has ever been gained by focusing on the past, a lesson the right should learn. Like Bayh, Buttigieg is dedicated to the American people and puts the needs of the common man above special interests, and he has demonstrated a commitment to equality and fairness.
In the Mideast, Buttigieg had to create solutions such as installing electrical grids where none existed. As mayor, he has solved local problems by rolling up his sleeves and getting things done. That is important, because cities are doing more for the country’s future than Washington. Buttigieg offers specificity rather than the vague promises of other candidates. The odds of his becoming president are low, but he is exactly the kind of person we need for the job.
Michael Adkins formerly was chairman of the Hancock County Democratic Party. Send comments to [email protected].
