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Article: The legend of Strom Thurmond. (senator from South Carolina seeks re-election at age 93)(Lexington)(Column)
- Article from:
- The Economist (US)
- Article date:
- October 12, 1996
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1996 Economist Newspaper Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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UNDER an illuminated oval ceiling, gazed down upon by curious visitors, a few retiring senators were saying their goodbyes. There was Sam Nunn from Georgia, who is going home at the age of 58; there was Bill Bradley of New Jersey, aged 53. Then a hunched figure, with transplanted hair dyed a curious shade of carrot, rose to read a statement. But it was not about retirement. Strom Thurmond, aged 93, is running for re-election. If he wins (and the polls predict he will do), his eighth term will expire when he is 100 years old.
Age is often a liability in American politics. In March a poll found that one in four Americans thinks Bob Dole, a sprightly 73-year-old, is too ...