He may be 97 and ailing, but strom Thurmond holds the title for political longevity. His challenger, Joaquin Balaguer--92, blind and frail--lost his bid for an eighth term as President of the Dominican Republic last week. A fair fight?
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
THURMOND Law BALAGUER Law
HAILS FROM...
[THURMOND] A tobacco state [BALAGUER] A tobacco family
DEMONSTRATED FIRST OF NINE LIVES BY...
[THURMOND] switching parties; abandoning race-baiting past [BALAGUER] abandoning ties to assassinated dictator boss
HELD ON TO OFFICE BY...
[THURMOND] denouncing commies; calling constituents on their birthday [BALAGUER] denouncing commies; siphoning U.S. aid for constituents
DESCRIBED AS TOO OLD TO GOVERN...
[THURMOND] at age 75, in 1978 [BALAGUER] at age 70, in 1978
ENERGY LEVEL
[THURMOND] High: married 22-year-old beauty queen at age 66 [BALAGUER] High: writes poetry; lifelong bachelor