Senator Strom Thurmond (1902-2003)

Former Senator Strom Thurmond Dies at 100. We knew this day was going to come soon. 'Ole Strom (and that's not disrespectful, FYI for you non-South Carolinians) was an institution. It was often said in political circles in SC that the sun doesn't rise or set without Strom Thurmond's say-so. I was a gofer for his 1996 reelection campaign. He had more energy than I did--and he had 70 years on me.

Strom was beyond criticism. He could have been reelected if he were in an iron lung at Walter Reed. You can be sure that South Carolina is going to be virtually shut down for the next 30 days in mourning.

Rest in preace, Senator.