Richard Gephardt

Richard Andrew Gephardt (born the January 31st 1941), known under the diminutive of Dick Gephardt , is an American politician, member of the Democratic party and representing State of the Missouri to the Chambre of the representatives of the United States of 1977 with 2005.

Studies and professional path

Gephardt was born with Saint Louis, Missouri, and received its diploma of South West High School in 1958.

It made its academic works with the Northwestern University in 1962, and those of right to the Université of Michigan Law school in 1965.

In 1965, it was allowed with the bar of the State of Missouri. Then, it entered the National guard where it is useful as a pilot until 1971.

Political career with the Congress

Of 1968 with 1971, it is city council man Democratic party with St Louis, advancing with the highest row (that of “ alderman ”) that it was due of 1971 to 1976.

In 1976, it is elected like representative of Missouri to the 95e Congrès of the United States. It will be re-elected there both until its withdrawal of the political life in 2004.

Of 1989 with 1994, it is “leading majority” ( majority leader ) of the Room of the representatives then, after the Democrats lost the majority in 1994, becomes minority leader until 2002.

So in the beginning Dick Gephardt is a preserving Democrat - he decides against the right to the Avortement until in 1986, vote for the tax cuts of the administration of Ronald Reagan in 1981 -, he evolves/moves little by little worms of the more liberal positions. Thus, it was one of the largest adversary of the falls of taxes voted during the first mandate of George W. Bush. He decides for the creation of a system of cover universal disease, against the agreements of free trade like those of ALENA.

If it is a while short to the Nouveaux democrats, its positioning in favor of the trade-union organizations moves away it from this tendency within the Democratic party Its role influential to the Room enables him to exert a great influence on the democratic elected officials.

In 2002, it is not represented with the direction of the Democrats to the Chambre of the representatives and leaves the place of minority leader with Nancy Pelosi, one elected progressist of California which supports it during the Démocrates primary educations of 2004.

Candidate with the presidential elections

In 1988, it decides to launch out in the presidential election, but fails during the democratic primary educations vis-a-vis Michael Dukakis, in spite of good starts in the Iowa.

Sixteen years later, at the time of the presidential election of 2004, it decides to be represented once again and profits from the support of the great trade unions of which it always was near, fighting for higher wages for the workmen. Thus it fought the international agreements of free trade (of which NAFTA). For the democratic primary educations, it profited from the support of the trade unionists and in particular of powerful AFL-CIO as well as most of the homosexual community (near to the democratic party) after the coming-out of his daughter Chrissy Gephardt.

The first poll of the American primary elections for the presidency takes place in Iowa in January 2004, a rural State and trade unionist. Gephardt had said at the time of this countryside that if it did not gain in Iowa or at least if it did not arrive in second position, it would leave the electoral campaign.

Whereas the Iowa was regarded as very favorable to Gephardt since bordering on the Missouri, it arrives there only in fourth position at the time of the primary educations for the nomination. They is logically whereas it withdraws campaign, bringing some days later its support for John Kerry.

Although it was withdrawn from the countryside for the American presidency, Gephardt was mentioned like possible candidate with the vice-presidency with John Kerry.

The March 7th 2004, the governor of the State of the New Mexico Bill Richardson (considering then as a candidate with the vice-presidency) supported Gephardt for the place of candidate to the vice-presidency. Nevertheless, John Kerry finally chose John Edwards, the senator of South Carolina.

Quotations

“ This President is regrettable a erreur ” judgment on [[George W. Bush] which will be taken again with many recoveries by activists of left during the presidential election of 2004]

“I never felt that it was inevitable that we must go in war Iraq”

“It is a good day for our soldiers, this administration, the people of the Iraq. My hope, it is that this will decrease the violence to which our soldiers will have to face. ” the arrest of [[Saddam Hussein]]

“I want to thank all the members for all the trade unions in this country which were held upright near me throughout my career. Your combat, it is my combat, and it will go from there always thus. ” marking the end of its political career after having lost the primary educations of [[Iowa].]

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