Robert H. Michel, who served his entire 38-year congressional career in the congressional minority and rose to the post of House Republican leader, is dead at 93. Although Michel had a voting record similar to the Georgia congressman who would eventually succeed him as Republican leader, Newt Gingrich, he was known for a negotiating style that embraced consensus over confrontation. Two years later, Michel became the minority whip and by 1980, he had risen to minority leader. Following Michel's announcement not to pursue reelection, President Clinton said in a statement: “For over a decade as Republican leader, Bob Michel has exhibited the balance of partisanship and cooperation which makes our system work. After Michel retired from the House, he joined the Hogan & Hartson political consulting firm as a senior adviser for corporate and governmental affairs.

Source: Fox News February 17, 2017 14:22 UTC