PERSPECTIVE FROM THE 19^TH HOLE: This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf. Out of college, my first job was a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon and I went on from there to practice writing in all of my professional positions, including as a Congressional press secretary in Washington, D.C., an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and a private sector lobbyist. This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.

Principled. Humble. Honest. Humanity. Servant.

Those are words no one would hear in politics today as those who are vying for president practice the politics of personal destruction.

But those words describe Mark Hatfield, a political leader who rose to serve as Oregon’s governor and then represented the state in Congress for 30 years.

These days, day-by-day, headlines are made by those who tear down others.

It’s time for all immigrants to leave this country. It’s time to build a wall so no one we don’t like can enter this country. It’s time to mock those with physical disabilities. It’s time for women to take their proper place – second place – in life.

And Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un are world leaders to be admired and mimicked.

Sound like Donald Trump? It does.

Or, it’s time to mix public office with a private foundation, providing favors for those who pay for them. And, all the while, keep your communications private by using a personal e-mail system that includes transmission of classified material.

Sound like Hillary Clinton? It does.

Or, tear into Congress as a do-nothing institution – even though you are a part of it — because it doesn’t go your way, all the way.

Sound like Ted Cruz? It does.

But, thankfully, back to Hatfield. I had the privilege of sitting in an early evening seminar earlier this week at Willamette University where Hatfield served as a professor and administrator from 1950-56, before he entered public life, first as a member of the Oregon Legislature, then as Secretary of State, then as governor from 1959-67, and finally as U.S. Senator from 1967-97.

The occasion for remembering Hatfield’s legacy was an event sponsored by the Willamette University Archives and Special Collections, the History Department and the Politics Department.

Within ear-shot of the late senator’s wife, Antoinette, his family and his long-time chief of staff, Salem’s own Gerry Frank, several Hatfield staff members over the years provided glimpses into the senator’s role in and contributions on international policy, starting with his principled opposition to the Vietnam War, continuing with his attempts to block nuclear proliferation and culminating with his work to tame hunger in Africa and other starving regions.

Hatfield was a courageous leader who stood for something even if it was not politically popular. He stood on principle. He held his ground.

In contrast to today’s political diatribes, which become all too personal, Hatfield didn’t let differences over policy harm his personal relationships. It was said of him that he might differ on policy, but never on friendship.

I long for a return to the days of politics practiced under leaders like Mark Hatfield. He was one of the main reasons why I got into the political game in the first place. And the loss of leaders of integrity and grace like Hatfield is one of the reasons that I am content now to sit on the sidelines in retirement.

We need Hatfield’s type again. That’s why, when the time comes to vote for president this November, I may even write in his name as a statement about my own aspirations for the country’s top political job.