Senator Who?

A moment of silence to mark the passing of former Senator Howard Metzenbaum of Ohio, cranky millionaire and liberal champion. And now a question: what about this “Senator No” business?

During 18 years on Capitol Hill, from 1977 to 1995, Metzenbaum came to be known as “Senator No” and “Headline Howard” for his abilities to block legislation and get publicity for himself.

Okay, fine. Except that I’d heard that this moniker had been associated with a decidedly different lawmaker.

There’s probably room for two Senator Noes in history (or is that Senators No?). But there doesn’t seem to be room for both in the collective memory of the media. Weird.

(Cross-posted.)


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