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Proven Problem-Solver

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 26, 2009

Since leaving the Senate in 1995, U.S. envoy George J. Mitchell has taken on one seemingly intractable problem after another.

THE CASES: He led an inquiry into steroids use in baseball, mediated a corporate civil war as chairman of Disney Co., investigated allegations of corruption at the Olympics, and twice has tried to settle the Middle East dispute.

HIS ARAB TIES: His mother was Lebanese, but Mitchell has not been active in groups espousing Arab causes. As a senator, his voting record was considered solidly pro-Israel. He supported aid packages for Israel, and regularly voted against sales of weaponry to Arab countries.

HIS SENATE TIME: He is known for his ability to work endless hours at committee meetings along with his ability to cut deals with powerful committee chairmen and balky senators. He also won a contest of wills with former President George H.W. Bush over a budget deal in which the president went back on his promise of "no new taxes." Mitchell also pushed his Senate colleagues into supporting former President Clinton's 1993 budget deal that raised taxes, contributing to Democrats' 1994 electoral losses.
Los Angeles Times
Since leaving the Senate in 1995, U.S. envoy George J. Mitchell has taken on one seemingly intractable problem after another.

THE CASES: He led an inquiry into steroids use in baseball, mediated a corporate civil war as chairman of Disney Co., investigated allegations of corruption at the Olympics, and twice tried to settle the Middle East dispute.

HIS ARAB TIES: Although his mother was Lebanese, Mitchell has not been active in advocacy groups espousing Arab causes. As a senator, his voting record was considered solidly pro-Israel. He supported foreign aid packages for Israel, and regularly voted against sales of U.S. weaponry to Arab countries.

HIS SENATE TIME: He is known for his ability to work endless hours at committee meetings along with his ability to cut deals with powerful committee chairmen and balky senators. He also won a contest of wills with former President George H.W. Bush over a budget deal in which the president went back on his promise of "no new taxes." Mitchell also pushed his Senate colleagues into supporting former President Clinton's 1993 budget deal that raised taxes, contributing to Democrats' 1994 electoral losses.

Los Angeles Times

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