Bob Graham, a former U.S. senator and governor of Florida, passed away at the age of 87

Former U.S. Senator and two-term Florida Governor Bob Graham has died at the age of 87. Graham gained national prominence as Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee after the 2001 terrorist attacks and was an early critic of the Iraq war. His family announced his death in a statement posted by his daughter, Gwen Graham. Graham served three terms in the Senate and made an unsuccessful bid for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination, focusing on his opposition to the Iraq invasion. However, his campaign was hindered by heart surgery in January 2003, and he was unable to gain enough support from voters. Graham did not seek re-election in 2004 and was replaced by Republican Mel Martinez.

Throughout his career, Graham was known for his unique quirks, such as his “workdays” political gimmick and meticulous diary-keeping. He kept detailed notes of his conversations, meals, television shows, and even his golf scores. Graham was an early opponent of the Iraq war, criticizing the diversion of focus from the battle against terrorism in Afghanistan. He believed that President George W. Bush mishandled the occupation of Iraq and misrepresented intelligence data to support the war. Despite his political differences, Graham was known for his ability to work well with colleagues from both parties.

His political career spanned five decades, beginning with his election to the Florida House of Representatives in 1966. He became a state Senator in 1970 and then won the governorship in 1978, and was re-elected in 1982. Four years later, he defeated incumbent Republican Paula Hawkins to win the first of three terms in the U.S. Senate.

Graham remained highly popular with Florida voters. He won re-election by wide margins in 1992 and 1998, carrying 63 of the state’s 67 counties. In the latter election, he defeated Charlie Crist, who later served as a Republican governor from 2007 to 2011.

“I was completely defeated, and during the course of the campaign I discovered why,” said Crist on Tuesday night. “I came to respect him even more than I already did, and I loved him for being the good and honorable man that he was.”

Crist, who has since switched parties and most recently served as a U.S. representative, said Graham had a significant impact on him.

“When he was Governor, I always believed that he was working for the people of Florida, without political bias or partisanship. I took that lesson to heart and tried to emulate it in my own way,” said Crist.

Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker Emerita, referred to Graham as “a patriotic American” and thanked him for his “distinguished public service,” praising his work on the 9/11 inquiry and highlighting his brave opposition to the war in Iraq.

“He carried his love for his family and the state of Florida with him to the Senate, where he served with immense dignity and courage,” Pelosi said in a statement on Tuesday.Even in Washington, Graham remained focused on his home state of Florida and the leadership in Tallahassee.

In 2001, when Governor Jeb Bush and the Republican-controlled Legislature abolished the Board of Regents, Graham saw it as an attempt to politicize the state university system. The following year, he led a successful petition drive for a state constitutional amendment that established the Board of Governors to take on the regents’ responsibilities.

Daniel Robert Graham was born on November 9, 1936, in Coral Gables. His father, Ernest “Cap” Graham, moved from South Dakota and built a large dairy operation there. Graham grew up milking cows, building fences, and doing other farm chores. His half-brother, Phillip Graham, served as the publisher of The Washington Post and Newsweek until he took his own life in 1963, just a year after Bob Graham graduated from Harvard Law School.

Graham served as the president of the student body at Miami Senior High School and attended the University of Florida, where he graduated in 1959.

In 1966, he was elected to the Florida Legislature, where he focused primarily on education and healthcare issues.

Graham initially faced criticism and was given the nickname “Gov. Jello” due to his early indecisiveness as Florida’s chief executive. However, he shed that label through his handling of several significant crises.

During his time as governor, Graham signed numerous death warrants, co-founded the Save the Manatee Club with entertainer Jimmy Buffett, and led efforts to establish various environmental programs. He spearheaded a bond program aimed at purchasing threatened beaches and barrier islands to prevent development. Additionally, he initiated the Save Our Everglades program, which sought to safeguard the state’s water supply, wetlands, and endangered species.

Moreover, Graham became known for his 408 “workdays.” These experiences included taking on various roles such as a housewife, boxing ring announcer, flight attendant, and arson investigator. Initially, this practice began during his time on the Florida Senate’s Education Committee as a way to connect with the average voter. Graham viewed these workdays as invaluable opportunities to better understand the expectations, desires, and aspirations of Floridians. He believed it was crucial to translate these insights into policies that could improve their lives. In 2004, as Graham wrapped up his final workday as a Christmas gift wrapper, he reflected on the significance of this endeavor.

After leaving public service in 2005, Graham devoted much of his time to the public policy center that bears his name at the University of Florida. Additionally, he advocated for the inclusion of more civics classes in the state’s public schools, urging the Legislature to prioritize this. Furthermore, in June 2010, President Barack Obama appointed Graham as one of five members of an independent commission. Their responsibility was to investigate a massive BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. This catastrophic event had the potential to cause extensive damage to marine life and beaches in several southeastern Gulf states.

News Source:NBCnews.com