Remembering Lee B. Laskin, A Fearless Fighter

As a politician, Lee Laskin broke the mold.

He was a Republican in a heavily Democrat area who consistently won, attracting many independent and Democrat votes.

That's not to say that winning was ever easy for him because there were still many Democrats who fiercely opposed him and, of course, many
Republicans who deeply resented him. Republicans disliked him because he wasn't always a party loyalist. He did not naturally fall into line. And Democrats disliked him because, well -- because was a Republican even though he sometimes voted their way.

Laskin, who assed away earlier this week at 87, served as Camden County Freeholder (County Commissioner) as State Assemblyman and as later, for 14 years as State Senator where he represented the district including Cherry Hill and gained a reputation as a shrewd curmudgeon who could not be categorized. He carefully considered each issue as it arose. His floor votes could not necessarily be predicted and, as far as anyone could tell, he simply could not be bought. Laskin loved a good fight and he fought fearlessly. After losing a bitter re-election battle in 1991, Laskin became a Superior Court Judge where he served with distinction for many years.

Born in Atlantic City, Laskin was really a product of my hometown, Camden, NJ where he graduated from Camden High School and fought many of his political battles. As a young Democrat I worked against Laskin and, later as a Republican I worked on behalf of his campaigns. I can tell you that it was much more advantageous (and more fun, too) to be on the same side of Laskin than it was to be on the opposite side.

Laskin was not naturally a glad-hander. He could appear dour, indifferent or even aloof. And he did not suffer fools gladly. But if you heard him out -- if you paid attention -- you realized he was worth getting to know. And if you got to know him you discovered that he was kinder, more attentive and more understanding than you might suspect. And all of this was accompanied by a dry sense of humor and a tremendous respect for learning and intellect.

I remember Lee Laskin as one of the last of the true originals -- an irrepressibly rugged individualist who never lost the sense of an outsider and wasn't afraid to sail against the wind.

In today's atmosphere, someone like that really is rare -- and destined to be deeply missed!