In Thurmond vs. Balaguer, Only the Strom Survives

By Melissa August, Val Castronovo, Matthew Cooper, Daren Fonda, Benjamin Nugent, Julie Rawe, Douglas Root, Alain Sanders and Josh Tyrangiel

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