Former GOP House leader, Illinois Rep. Bob Michel has died at 93

WASHINGTON — A former aide says former House Republican leader Bob Michel has died at age 93.

Michel was an affable Illinois congressman who served as leader of the GOP House minority for 14 years. His skill at seeking compromise with the Democrats was critical in helping Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush pursue their agendas during their presidential terms.

Poor Anton Cermak.

Garner would’ve been much preferable to FDR, though there’s no telling how much pressure there might’ve been on him by the Democrat left to use the hand of big gubmint to resolve the Depression. Either way, it would’ve opened him up to a challenge from the left from Huey Long in ‘36 and the GOP probably would’ve put up the mediocre Alf Landon, who would’ve been another Hoover (or Hoover himself, whom was considered for a rematch with FDR).

Andrew Mellon should’ve been elected President in 1928.

Cermak’s Guardian Angel later redeemed herself (my mom told me when I was a kid you get an opposite gender angel) by saving Governor Connolly.

“Hoover himself, whom was considered for a rematch with FDR)”

I know he got convention votes in 1940 (and none in ‘36) but that should have been a non-starter after the beatdown he received.

Mellon sounds good. But what wiki says about why he resigned is bizarre.

Did Hoover ignore his advice?

I’m not sure I like the idea of an opposite-gender guardian angel. I wouldn’t want her watching me at certain moments (like toilet time), ick.

If it was a choice between Connolly vs. JFK, better to have saved the reprobate from martyrdom.

Mellon’s Wikipedia article is odd. Of course, I appreciate the burning hatred FDR had for him, since he represented the success of Conservative policies of the 1920s and a total repudiation of the failures of Wilsonianism and its successors in Cox-Roosevelt.

I wonder if the issue in 1928 why he didn’t run was one of age, being in his early 70s (Hoover was just 54). A 70-year old in politics then was considered like a 90-year old today.

What advice do you speak of ? The claim Mellon stated to Hoover about doubling down on austerity measures ?

Before condemning Michel, consider that Reagan's agenda got through Congress (or much of it did) when Republicans were in the minority and Bob Michel was Minority Leader.

I don't know how much Michel had to do with it, but when you compare what happened then with what happened when Republicans were in the majority, the party's achievements don't look small or nonexistent.

She closes her eyes when you go potty, so be careful, don’t strain too hard and a have a stroke, she won’t be able to help. ;-D

The article on the 1928 convention says that he (Mellon) himself thought he was too old, yes. He made it to 1937, with the stress he might have died in office if he made it to a 2nd term.

Since he was a conservative I figure he gave Hoover advice on what he actually should have done and didn’t like what he did do.

Speaking of that, I noticed I’m closing in on the age to the day poor Elvis fell off his throne (on April 3rd). If I’m “clogged up” that day, I’m gonna freak out. Anywho...

That definitely would’ve been a high-stress job for Mellon, but we don’t know if he’s one of those types that thrives on stress (Trump) or folds like a cheap suit. Hoover managed to outlive his job 31 years, and he was demonized for decades after his single term.

I’ve not read in detail about which policies Hoover pursued that were favored or opposed by Mellon. The odd thing in all of this, however, was his role in the Cox’s Army funding. One theory possible is that he may have been privately trying to help PA Gov. Gifford Pinchot wrest the 1932 GOP nomination from Hoover (Mellon being a fellow Pennsylvanian), as that march would’ve served to embarrass Hoover. Strange, since Pinchot was a left-winger, so why would he be attempting to help someone to Hoover’s left ? Instead, it blew up in Mellon’s face. Maybe this was a sign of Mellon’s being past his prime in his job making such a terrible political blunder.

Personally, I was shocked at the level of the 1920s/30s tax rates, despite the cuts, which was confiscatory to the point of outright thievery. 77% or 73% for the top groups ? I cannot favor any tax rate on citizens that is higher than 10%, period. I take that straight from the bible, and if it’s good enough for God, it’s good enough for the government. You want to pay more than 10% ? That’s up to you if you wish to be a fool or masochist.

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