Mayne mourned on both sides of the aisle

By Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb
Published: Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007 12:06 a.m. MST
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Pignanelli: "Mommy and Daddy are you crying?" asked one of my children last Sunday afternoon. Both my wife and I were indeed wiping tears from our cheeks, having learned of Senator Ed Mayne's passing. Similar emotions were displayed in thousands of Utah homes last week. The loss of Eddie Mayne ripped a chunk from our soul.

The media reports detailing Ed Mayne's life focused on his legislative and labor movement achievements, which were impressive. But Ed was more than just an officeholder or advocate. He played numerous roles: conscience to Utah politicians and employers; papa bear to the Democratic Party while overseeing its resurrection in the mid-1980s; mentoring numerous young politicos (including Randy Horiuchi, Blaze Wharton, Kelly Atkinson, Janet Rose, Grant Protzman, Kurt Oscarson, Gene Davis, Dave Spatafore, Wayne Holland, D'Arcy Dixon and me); and playing peacemaker during our incessant fractional squabbles. He and his incredible wife, Karen, set the standard of coequal political partners who loved and respected each other-long before Bill and Hillary were known. No one was prouder of his children. But we gravitated to Ed for deeper causes.

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The day after he left us, I was attending to business at the state Capitol and bumped into a veteran legislative staffer who also expressed sorrow. She articulated that "Sen. Mayne never mistreated anyone. In his book, all persons deserved respect." This is lofty praise from a longtime witness to state officials who routinely thump their chests proclaiming high morals and then abuse their employees. Because Ed lived as he believed — that all people must be treated with dignity — he was beloved.

His compassion carried over into his professional and political activities. He could excoriate Republicans and management with passion and anger but without personal attacks. He abhorred many policies of business leaders and Republican officeholders but rarely demonized individuals. They too deserved respect, according to Ed. This is why so many of his political and labor opponents praised him in public and attended his funeral.

Democrats oftentimes fell astray from his political bearings. It was easy to determine who was on his naughty list. It was those Democrats mumbling that Ed was out of touch and did not understand modern economics. Such statements were ineffective cover-ups from the ensuing pain for having disappointed him.

But Ed was not some remote saint whose virtuous life was unattainable to us mortals. We loved Ed because he was very human with a multitude of wonderful vices. (The last time I saw Ed in October, he was mapping out fantasy football trades from his hospital bed.) During many legislative sessions, he held court at Diamond Lil's with Democratic legislators, labor leaders and a few brave Republicans where we gorged on prime rib and apple pie. His hunting follies are the stuff of legend, and he loved visiting Wendover with Karen.

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This man will be sorely missed. I appreciate your insight (as usual...

Good Job Frank | Dec. 2, 2007 at 10:53 a.m.