Bob Graham, a Florida Democrat who served as governor, United States Senator, and made a run for the presidency, has passed away at the age of 87. Known for his clever populist strategy of working in hundreds of entry-level jobs to bond with his constituents, Graham’s “Workdays” were a hit with voters and the press. This strategy, along with his obsessive diarist habits and courtly manners, helped him win two terms as governor, three terms in the Senate, and make a run for the White House.
After serving 38 years in public life, Graham had worked in 921 ordinary jobs in 109 cities and five states, outside of his official duties. His legacy includes improvements in public education, economic programs that added jobs and increased per capita income, and environmental policies that protected fragile lands like the Everglades. He was easily re-elected as governor and received high voter-approval ratings.
During his time in the Senate, Graham chaired the Intelligence Committee during and after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He became a national spokesman on intelligence and security issues, criticizing President George W. Bush’s administration’s response to terrorism and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He opposed the invasion of Iraq, leading a joint investigation into 9/11 that found no ties between Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda, and no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
Throughout his Senate years, Graham’s name was raised as a possible vice presidential candidate for several Democratic nominees, including Michael Dukakis, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and John Kerry. He briefly ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 but withdrew from the race due to health reasons and chose not to seek re-election to the Senate in 2004, retiring when his term ended in January 2005.
Graham’s legacy includes his unique “Workdays” strategy, strong leadership in Florida, and his advocacy for intelligence and security issues as a Senator. His commitment to understanding the lives of ordinary workers through his work in various jobs endeared him to voters and allowed him to build successful political careers in both the state of Florida and on the national stage. He leaves behind a lasting impact on Florida politics and the issues he championed in the Senate.
