Reply #4: Used to be mine, long ago (although I voted for William Winter) [View All]

That should tell you HOW long ago.

I used to work for a former senator from Texas who knew Cochran a little, and he was one of the few Republicans--the only one I remember--that my boss said nice things about. He told me once that after he had lost his re-election bid, he had gone back up to DC for something, and out of habit took the private Senate elevators and hallways--something he was no longer allowed to do. He ran into Cochran, who was a freshman senator then, and Cochran recognized him. "Senator Yarborough, you aren't supposed to be back here anymore, are you?" he asked, and when Yarborough looked a little chagrined, Cochran smiled and said "Oh, I'm not going to report you," and used his pass key for Yarborough to use the elevator. Yarborough liked him forever after that.

Years ago when Cochran was being considered for Senate Majority Leader, on a whim I sent an email of that story to him, expecting to not get any reply. I wasn't even in his district anymore. About two weeks later I got an email back, clearly written by Cochran himself.

Anyway, I hope he stays a nice guy. I like being able to respect at least a couple on the other side, even if I don't agree with him on anything.