Old American statesman is blunt, taking nothing back (8)

I believe the answer is:

franklin

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'old american statesman' is the definition.
'franklin' can be an answer for 'statesman' (I've seen this before). I'm unsure of the 'old american' bit.

'blunt taking nothing back' is the wordplay.
'blunt' becomes 'frank' (synonyms).
'taking' says to put letters next to each other.
'nothing' becomes 'nil' (eg nil is zero in football).
'back' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'nil' written backwards gives 'lin'.
'frank'+'lin'='FRANKLIN'

'is' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for franklin that I've seen before include "[PILGRIM in the CANTERBURY TALES]" , "Tale-bearer" , "old landowner" , "Benjamin or Roosevelt" , "Statesman" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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