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The Political Legacy of George D. Aiken: Wise Old Owl of the US Senate
"I was born the year George Aiken entered the Senate and I succeeded him in office thirty-four years later. Vermont Democrats always shared a secret delight in voting for the "governor"-for he was a Vermonter first and foremost. He was the most beloved political figure in Vermont throughout the years of my youth and holds a unique position in Senate lore." ―Senator Patrick J. Leahy George D. Aiken was a state legislator and then governor of Vermont from 1930 to 1940. For the next thirty-four years, from 1941 to 1975, he served in the U.S. Senate, where he earned the respect of colleagues in both political parties and was known for his sound judgment and independence. His integrity was legendary, typified by his campaign of 1968, on which he spent $17.09. Nicknamed "the wise old owl" by former Senate majority leader Mike Mansfield, Aiken helped guide domestic and foreign policy during a period of enormous from Pearl Harbor to Vietnam to Watergate. This collection of papers given by prominent scholars and public servants presents a study of Aiken's legacy in both national and international affairs. It provides a context in which to understand a man who represented a style of politics and devotion to principle rare in today's world.
192 pages, Paperback
First published June 17, 1995
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
March 2, 2019
This is no biography of the respected Senator from Vermont. But it sure points the need for one. It
is a series of essays from the view of several people who were associated with George D. Aiken in one
way or another. There's a forward by Mike Mansfield and one of the essays is from Philip Hoff. This
pair of Democrats held Aiken in that much respect.
George D. Aiken was a classic example of the New England citizen/politician and in his time was one of the few US Senators who never attended a college. He was a farmer and grew fruits and vegetables
and politics was an aside when he served in the Vermont legislature in the 20 and 30s all the time
tending to his nursery in Putney where he resided. In 1934 he was elected Lieutenant Governor and
then Governor in 1936.
What propelled him into national politics was his strong opposition to a TVA type proposal for the
Connecticut River. He saw all the work ruining the land and scenery of his native state and he led
the successful fight against it. Generally he supported New Deal social welfare legislation, but he
drew a line in the sand over messing with the river.
After he went to the Senate in 1940 where he served until 1975 Aiken had two interests. Of course
given his background he served on the Agriculture Committee. The other was foreign affairs.
A lot of people did not know about George Aiken, but he neared and endeared himself to many when
asked about the Vietnam War. His answer to Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon was sublimely
simple. Let's just declare victory and go home. He was never a dove or a hawk. He was dubbed the
wise old owl of the Senate. So he was.
And an honest old owl too. He was legendary for that as well. He had that Calvin Coolidge Yankee
thriftness about him, never would let a lobbyist buy him a drink let alone purchase a vote.
Hopefully George D. Aiken of Vermont will get a long deserved biographer. Could Vermont use him
in the Senate today.
is a series of essays from the view of several people who were associated with George D. Aiken in one
way or another. There's a forward by Mike Mansfield and one of the essays is from Philip Hoff. This
pair of Democrats held Aiken in that much respect.
George D. Aiken was a classic example of the New England citizen/politician and in his time was one of the few US Senators who never attended a college. He was a farmer and grew fruits and vegetables
and politics was an aside when he served in the Vermont legislature in the 20 and 30s all the time
tending to his nursery in Putney where he resided. In 1934 he was elected Lieutenant Governor and
then Governor in 1936.
What propelled him into national politics was his strong opposition to a TVA type proposal for the
Connecticut River. He saw all the work ruining the land and scenery of his native state and he led
the successful fight against it. Generally he supported New Deal social welfare legislation, but he
drew a line in the sand over messing with the river.
After he went to the Senate in 1940 where he served until 1975 Aiken had two interests. Of course
given his background he served on the Agriculture Committee. The other was foreign affairs.
A lot of people did not know about George Aiken, but he neared and endeared himself to many when
asked about the Vietnam War. His answer to Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon was sublimely
simple. Let's just declare victory and go home. He was never a dove or a hawk. He was dubbed the
wise old owl of the Senate. So he was.
And an honest old owl too. He was legendary for that as well. He had that Calvin Coolidge Yankee
thriftness about him, never would let a lobbyist buy him a drink let alone purchase a vote.
Hopefully George D. Aiken of Vermont will get a long deserved biographer. Could Vermont use him
in the Senate today.
Displaying 1 of 1 review