Public Figure Profiles

John Bayard Anderson

John Bayard Anderson (February 15, 1922 – December 3, 2017) was an American lawyer and politician from Illinois who served in the United States House of Representatives, representing Illinois's 16th congressional district from 1961 to 1981. A member of the Republican Party, he also served as the Chair of the House Republican Conference from 1969 until 1979. In 1980, he ran an independent campaign for president, receiving 6.6% of the popular vote.

Born in Rockford, Illinois, Anderson practiced law after serving in the Army during World War II. After a stint in the United States Foreign Service, he won election as the State's Attorney for Winnebago County, Illinois. He won election to the House of Representatives in 1960 in a strongly Republican district. Initially one of the most conservative members of the House, Anderson's views moderated during the 1960s, particularly regarding social issues. He became Chairman of the House Republican Conference in 1969 and remained in that position until 1979. He strongly criticized the Vietnam War as well as President Richard Nixon's actions during the Watergate scandal. Anderson entered the 1980 Republican presidential primaries, introducing his signature campaign proposal of raising the gas tax while cutting social security taxes.

He established himself as a contender for the nomination in the early primaries, but eventually dropped out of the Republican race, choosing to pursue an independent campaign for president. In the election, he finished third behind Republican nominee Ronald Reagan and Democratic President Jimmy Carter. He won support among Democrats who became disillusioned with Carter, as well as Rockefeller Republicans, independents, liberal intellectuals, and college students. After the election, he resumed his legal career and helped found FairVote, an organization that advocates for electoral reform, including an instant-runoff voting system. He also won a lawsuit against the state of Ohio, Anderson v. Celebrezze, in which the Supreme Court struck down early filing deadlines for independent candidates. Anderson served as a visiting professor at numerous universities and was on the boards of several organizations. He endorsed Ralph Nader in 2000 and helped found the Justice Party in 2012.

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Some of their strengths

John Bayard Anderson has many admirable traits.

Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Altruistic, Easygoing, Intelligent, Curious, Selfless, Courageous, and Energetic.

Idealistic and Altruistic

According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, John Bayard Anderson is someone who is an idealist and an altruist who possesses an innovative, intellectual, and analytical mind, and who approaches life in an optimistic and easygoing manner. A person who is known for being fun and creative.

Strong and Resilient

Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know John Bayard Anderson well know them as someone who can be strong, expansive, and stable like a big tree.

Methodical and Exacting

According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe John Bayard Anderson as someone who is careful, methodical, and a perfectionist.

A person who forms successful business partnerships, who appreciates the variety the world has to offer, who takes a frugal approach to life and tends to be a workaholic, and who engages in things that let them express their opinion.

Realistic and Skillful

Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, John Bayard Anderson is someone who is able to separate emotions from reality, see the world in terms of right or wrong, and who is very good at getting things done.

They are also someone who is intuitive, imaginative, and an agent of change, and who is always dreaming of life's great possibilities and partnering with people to try to achieve those possibilities.

Altruistic and Innovative

According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, John Bayard Anderson tends to be someone who sacrifices things for the good of others and wants to do "good" in the world. Who is often thought of as an innovator or rebel who thrives when trying to chase a breakthrough of some sort, who has a clear and sound mind, and who can be charming and sociable.

Some of John Bayard Anderson's challenges

While John Bayard Anderson has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.

For example, John Bayard Anderson can be Rebellious, Emotionally Distant, Hesitant, Narcissistic, Sensitive, Critical, and Worrying.

Rebellious and Emotionally Distant

One of John Bayard Anderson's key challenges is that they are someone who can be rebellious and emotionally distant.

John Bayard Anderson must also exercise caution as they can be short-tempered and aggressive.

Sensitive and Critical

John Bayard Anderson is someone who can be insecure, critical, and pessimistic, who can have difficulty relaxing, can be possessive and jealous, and who can have difficulty listening to others' opinions and perspectives and make hasty decisions.

Serious and Callous

Finally, John Bayard Anderson also can be too giving, come across as too "high and mighty", and can have a hard time expressing feelings.

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