ATLANTA – If a single moment epitomizes the legacy of Johnny Isakson, it came on the day in 2019 after the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis spoke in Isakson’s honor.
Lewis, the longtime Georgia Democrat, had spoken of his admiration and affection for Isakson, the longtime Georgia Republican, as Isakson prepared to retire from Congress after more than 20 years.
Lewis called his friend “a warm and welcome gentleman in the truest sense of the word.” And instead of waiting for the ailing Isakson to come shake his hand, Lewis crossed the aisle of the cavernous chamber to hug the senator where he stood.
“I will come over to meet you, brother,” Lewis said.
The image of the two men, one white, one Black, from different parties sharing an embrace was so at odds with the toxic partisanship we’ve come to expect from Washington that it made the front pages and homepages of newspapers around the country.