Bill Raggio, legendary Nevada moderate Republican, dies at 85

[Newsjock]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/ralstons-flash/2012/feb/24/bill-raggio-legendary-state-senator-dies/

Bill Raggio, perhaps the most influential Nevada legislator in history, has died.

He was 85.

Raggio and his wife, Dale, were on a trip to Australia when he took ill. He passed away in a hospital in Sydney late Thursday evening.

From January 2011:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4697261

Republican Bill Raggio, the longest-serving state senator in Nevada history, says his party will lose elections if its doesn't move away from the radical right.

In an interview on radio station KUNR's "Beyond the Headlines" show Friday, the 84-year-old said he thinks the party's leadership has moved too far to the right and seems to kick out those who don't totally agree with its positions.

"I think the present leadership of the Republican Party is a little too radical and has been taken over by what I think is a radical element," the Reno lawmaker said, one day before he retires from the Senate seat he has held since 1972. "The party has to reshape itself or it won't win general elections down the road."

... Raggio's support of Reid over Angle angered the more conservative wing of the party and led to a challenge for his leadership post. Raggio served as GOP caucus leader for 28 years before he stepped aside in November after the challenge was launched.

[enlightenment]

1. A shame.

Raggio was an old-school, real Republican and a decent human being. They aren't making them like him anymore. Respects to his family.