Howard Baker (1925–2014,) fully Howard Henry Baker, Jr., was an American lawyer and politician. A moderate Republican senator, he was known for plain speaking and plain dealing. He played a prominent role in the Watergate scandal and earned a reputation for fairness and for forging bipartisan cooperation throughout a long political career.
Born the son of a congressman in Huntsville, Tennessee, Baker studied law at the University of Tennessee and represented Tennessee state in the Senate 1967–85. He was vice-chairman of the seven-member committee investigating the Watergate scandal (1973)—and therefore leading Republican—of the Senate special committee. Initially an ally of President Richard Nixon and a party loyalist, Baker thought the allegations couldn’t perhaps be true. However, he changed his mind as evidence accumulated against Nixon.
Baker later served as Senate minority leader (1977–81) and majority leader (1981–85.) He was White House Chief of Staff (1987–88) during the Reagan administration. He served as U.S. ambassador to Japan (2001–04) in the George W. Bush administration.
Montgomery College historian James Lee Annis wrote Howard Baker: Conciliator in an Age of Crises (1995.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Howard Baker
If you don’t like the question that’s asked, answer some other question.
—Howard Baker
Topics: Questioning
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
James Brady American Government Official
Johnny Carson American Comedian
C. Everett Koop American Physician
Carolyn Kizer American Poet
Jack Lemmon American Actor
B. B. King American Blues Musician
James E. Burke American Business Executive
Colin Powell American Military Leader
George P. Shultz American Economist
Neil Armstrong American Astronaut