Steve Cohen: “last Tuesday, the State of Maine and the entire Nation mourned the loss of a political giant, Edmund S. Muskie. From…”

“last Tuesday, the State of Maine and the entire Nation mourned the loss of a political giant, Edmund S. Muskie. From Maine to California, the newspapers are filled with long stories detailing and encapsulating the life and times of Ed Muskie and his accomplishments. There were columns that appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Boston Globe, the Bangor Daily News, the Portland Press Herald--all across the country. While each of the articles was written from the unique perspective of the authors, there were common elements in each one of them. The articles spoke of Senator Muskie's intellect, which indeed was muscular. They spoke of his integrity, which was unquestioned. They spoke of his candor, which was unmatched. They spoke of his courage, which I think was incomparable. He took on some of the most powerful interests in this country and, never once, did he ever flinch, he never sought favor, and never acted out of fear. He was indeed a brave heart. He was careful, and some say he was cautious. I read a tribute recently, which I will quote: Perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence, never acting until every circumstance, every consideration, was maturely weighed; refraining when he saw doubt, but when once decided, going through with his purpose whatever obstacles opposed.”