He was 88. A Tennessee Republican, Baker made his political mark over four decades, serving as majority leader and also ran for president in 1980. Baker's former press secretary, Tom Griscom, confirmed that he died on Thursday. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said he would be remembered "with fondness by members of both political parties.

" Baker was first elected to the Senate in 1966 and led the chamber from 1981-85. He was Reagan's chief of staff from 1987-88, and was ambassador to Japan under President George W. Bush. Baker also played a key role in the Watergate investigation that led to the downfall of President Richard Nixon. As the vice chairman and ranking Republican of the investigation into Nixon's connection to the 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, Baker famously asked "what did the President know and when did he know it."

(KH/ST)