INDIANA'S HAMILTON — The Weekly Opine

A steadying influence in American politics and global affairs, Lee Hamilton mentors future leaders at the university level. (Photo credit: The Weekly Opine)

Wisdom and honor still hold value.

When we think of octogenarians, the term “old school” is sometimes applied. This holds true whether they were in athletics, like 80-year-old former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka, or in financial services like Nebraska-based investment sage Warren Buffett, still playing markets at age 89.

Referring to someone as old school is sometimes a compliment, as in “he’s a tough, old school coach.” Other times it suggests the person is anciently behind the times, as in “that’s so old school.”

Indiana’s former U.S. Rep. Lee Hamilton, now 88, is not behind the times. Hamilton strikes a balance of wisdom and progressive thinking. A Democrat, he continues to champion building bridges of bipartisanship for the betterment of many, rather than a few.

Two weeks ago, The Weekly Opine sat with Hamilton in what was an enlightening interview, with a pleasant surprise near the end of the discussion.

Entering his office, I was enveloped by the same vibe from two previous meetings (both genial visits). Warmth and stature radiate from Lee Hamilton. Sturdiness and precision, probably borne from having been where he has been and done what he has done. Matter-of-fact descriptions of his experiences flow from Hamilton, along with sincerity and grace.

Hamilton speaks with Midwestern charm, clarity and purpose. He did not search for, nor waste words. He projects honor and dignity. Spending an hour with Lee Hamilton was immensely pleasurable.

Indiana produces good pols, too

When non-Hoosier, casual observers of politics think of Indiana politicians, the names of two embarrassing vice presidents, Dan Quayle and Mike Pence, likely come to mind. However, residents of Indiana know the state has produced credible, outstanding statesman like former Republican U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar and former Rep. Hamilton. Their service at the U.S. Capitol overlapped, with Hamilton serving from 1965-1999 and Lugar from 1977-2013.

After his time in Congress, Hamilton was vice chairman of the 9/11 Commission Report and served on the U.S. Homeland Security advisory council and the C.I.A. advisory council. In addition, he founded the Partnership for a Secure America with the goal of achieving public support and congressional consensus for bipartisan national security and foreign policy solutions. Former U.S. secretaries of state Madeline Albright, a Democrat, and George Shultz, a Republican, serve on PSA’s board.

“American foreign policy is stronger if it’s united, speaking with one voice,” said Hamilton. “We wanted to emphasize the importance of bipartisan leadership, regardless of whether you have a Republican or Democrat president.”

In 2018, the Hamilton/Lugar connection was forever cemented - both previously were awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama - when Indiana University brilliantly re-named the School of Global and International Studies the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. It was a palpable acknowledgment of the dire need for bipartisan cooperation in America, whose two political parties are locked in a self-destructive spiral.

HL SGIS is a leader in the study of languages, cultures and perspectives shaping the globe. The school’s goal is straightforward; to educate principled, non-partisan leaders.

Lugar, who passed away earlier this year, and Hamilton were in Washington, D.C. during Watergate. When I asked where he stood on impeaching President Nixon, Hamilton did not hesitate, stating clearly, “I would have voted to impeach him.” He admired Republican senators who “did the right thing” telling Nixon he had to resign. Nixon’s resignation saved the country “a lot of heartache and turmoil,” Hamilton said.

Lee Hamilton, #53 back row. My dad “Deke,” #5 front row, expressed great admiration for Lee Hamilton. (Photo credit: DePauw University archives)

Trail to success

Lee Hamilton was born in Daytona Beach, Florida. Before arriving in Evansville, Indiana, his family moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, when Hamilton was five or six years old. They came to the Hoosier state when he was in 8th grade. Hamilton attended DePauw University’s Mauer School of Law and played on the basketball team (along with my late-dad; both also were Rector Scholars).

Hamilton spent a year abroad then returned to the states and finished his law degree at IU in 1956. “After finishing law school, I decided I better try and practice law,” said Hamilton. He moved to Chicagoland, living in suburban Berwyn for a few years. Fond of his time in the big city, Hamilton says he worked with outstanding lawyers who provided good training and “put it to me.”

Moving back home to Indiana, Hamilton decided to practice law in a small community, settling in Columbus. Later, he entered politics, ending up in Congress.

“I worked in foreign policy and national defense strategy,” said Hamilton. He played a key role in passing defense bills and foreign aid and was chairman of several committees, among them the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Joint Economic Committee, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and the Select Committee to Investigate Covert Arms Transactions with Iran.

The thing that pleased him most was “having a seat at the table with access to everybody, from presidents on down.” Hamilton was in contact with secretaries and other top officials at the State Department, the FBI, and the Department of Defense. “I took satisfaction in being able to state my views,” said Hamilton, adding with a smile, “although they did not always agree with them.”

Regarding policy, Hamilton says “you win, and you lose but nothing crushed me.” He still supports mainstream American foreign policy, e.g. participating with NATO and working with allies “to promote democracy and contain communism and assure peace and prosperity.” Hamilton traveled extensively to Asia and Europe and kept himself “in the center of things.”

It’s easy to envision Democrat Lee Hamilton circling the globe as a loyal patriot. And earnestly working across the aisle with Republican counterparts, intent on ensuring America’s safety and stature as the preeminent force in the latter half of the 20th Century. That remains a focal point today.

Not old school

The building housing the 7-year-old school now adorned with the names Hamilton Lugar is an architectural beauty; modern, expressive and perfectly situated at the center of IU’s magnificent campus. Inside, the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies boasts state-of-the-art accouterments, including a media production studio. In short, the resources-rich building is a home run.

Inaugurated in 2015, the splendid Global and International Studies Building at Indiana University. (Photo credit: The Weekly Opine)

Hamilton quickly points out he is not an administrator at the school. He and Sen. Lugar did urge IU to open a school dedicated to international studies. “We were both aware the United States faces a difficult world,” said Hamilton. “And [the U.S.] is always a central, if not dominant actor in that world.”

Lugar and Hamilton realized, along with others, in order to deal with international challenges, public and private, there needed to be a consistent talent pool to solve the world’s problems. “IU has excellent schools that meet some of these challenges,” said Hamilton. “But did not have one school focused on students who want to participate in some manner in international relations.” He credits the new school with also having “very fine teachers.”

Hamilton is impressed with the students along with the faculty. He is pleased to see talented students graduate from HL SGIS and move into government departments. And having the school named after he and Lugar “was a very gracious thing for IU to do, a very nice compliment.”

Hamilton said he and Lugar never differed over foreign affairs. Both were internationalists. Both believed in a strong role for America in the world, with involvement in organizations like the United Nations. They believed the U.S. was “not flawless, but a country that tried to do the right thing.” He agrees that the example he and Lugar set, willing to work together in a bipartisan manner, influenced the decision to add their names to SGIS.

Hamilton calls Donald Trump a “sole actor” who has departed from the role America played in the world after World War II, leading a system of collaborative alliances. He says Trump represents a “radical, not good development.” Hamilton prefers the U.S. be heavily engaged and “not retreat from the world.” Punctuating this belief, he added, “The U.S. must work with allies and partners across the world to create the will, and mechanisms, to confront economic, jobs, income, environmental, and security challenges.”

Asked about top foreign policy issues Hamilton replied that “nuclear proliferation is at the top of the heap.” He says the U.S. must lead efforts to constrain the development and dispersal of nuclear weapons. In a sobering, cautious comment Hamilton acknowledged that convincing countries like Iran that they should not have nukes will take a “persuasive argument” from the international community.

With Lee Hamilton, fall 2017. We first met in the 1960s when I was around 10 years old. (Photo credit: The Weekly Opine)

The election, impeachment, pay to play

When asked about the large field of Democratic presidential candidates, Hamilton agrees there are too many candidates but believes the process should be allowed to work. “It shows vitality and energy in the party,” said Hamilton. “You don’t want to discourage that.” Hamilton is not ready to choose a candidate but may endorse someone down the road.

Regarding the debate format that allows candidates only about a minute to respond to complex issues like healthcare, Hamilton agreed it’s not optimal but “you’d be there all night” if candidates are permitted more time.

Something that gnaws at Hamilton is the premium debates put on debating. Yes, candidates should be able to stand on their feet and articulate. But Hamilton says what you really want to identify “is the person who has good judgment,” which is more important than being a good debater. “What the hell difference does it make if they win a debating point? Do they have good judgment?” he emphatically asked.

Hamilton is disappointed most mainstream Republicans tolerate and have been quiet about Trump. The GOP political problem is simple. “If you are running for senator in Wyoming, you need the base and the GOP is trying to stay connected to the base,” said Hamilton. He would like to see Republicans who spoke out against Nixon, such as the influential Howard Baker, speak out forcefully against Trump.

“How will they grade themselves 10 years from now?” Hamilton asks, believing Republicans should flatly come out and say, “[Trump] does not speak for me.” Unlike some of today’s deeply entrenched Democrats, Hamilton celebrates the value of a two party, bipartisan system and fears Trump may destroy the Republican Party.

When asked if Trump will be forced to resign Hamilton responded, “I can’t predict the future, but this is a real test of our system. Trump is impulsive, doesn’t care about facts, is not interested in policy; just totally incompetent.”

Shifting from politics, I asked about paying college athletes and was pleasantly surprised Hamilton argued on behalf of paying star athletes, who generate millions of dollars for their school. “It’s a matter of simple fairness,” said Hamilton, admitting details associated with paying athletes are complex. (Two days ago, the NCAA announced players will be free to make money off their name and likeness, with specific execution and timing TBD).

Will good guys outmaneuver traitors again and save American democracy? (Photo credit: The Weekly Opine)

It’s on us

In closing, I asked Hamilton what he would say if he could speak to all Americans. With barely a pause, he poignantly quoted Abraham Lincoln, saying:

“The question is, whether this nation, so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.”

Hamilton continued, “It doesn’t depend on Abraham Lincoln. He had his shot. We have to understand, it’s not written in the stars the United States will always be number one. It depends on us.”