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Remembering John Burton: A Liberal Champion for the Working Poor

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A black and white image of a white man in a business suit sitting at a desk with two microphones in front of him.
Rep. John Burton pictured in his office, February 1980.  (Janet Fries/Getty Images)

San Francisco political legend John Burton died over the weekend at age 92. During a decades-long career in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., Burton was known for his blunt, plain-spoken style — often laced with trademark obscenities — as he fought for labor unions and the working class. Scott and Marisa revisit conversations with Burton and with some of the people who knew him best, including former Gov. Jerry Brown, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown. 

Read more: John Burton, Architect of California Democratic Machine, Dies at 92

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