Opinion of Sen. Sam Ervin (D-NC)

[Fuzzy Bear]

Sam Ervin was a Democratic Senator who signed the Southern Manifesto.  He opposed all Civil Rights legislation during the 1950s and 1960s.  He was a supporter of Right-To-Work legislation, and he generally supported the Vietnam War.  He was also a champion of Civil Liberties, an opponent of No-Knock Warrants and unauthorized searches and seizures.  If he were alive today, I doubt he would be happy with the surveillance state, the Patriot Act, polygraphs and he would likely be an opponent of pre-employment drug testing, and many of the laws and court decisions that have driven "Mass Incarceration".  Ervin was also a loyal Democrat; despite being a conservative Democrat, he always endorsed the National Democratic Presidential Ticket, and that included George McGovern.

So how do you rate Ervin?  He really is a complicated historical figure. 

[Lincoln Republican]

Senator Sam Ervin chaired the Senate inquiry into the Watergate Affair, in a very effective and non partisan manner, for which he will always be remembered.

This would rank as his crowning achievement.

[brucejoel99]

Staunch segregationist who was a complete showboat during the Watergate hearings = HP.