He had so much left to contribute. His mere presence could galvanize an audience, energize average people. An inspiration, he was.

To bad he was dedicated to the proposition that all men aren't created equal. That put a damper on him in some circles. And tobacco - man, he loved tobacco. Never met a man he didn't think should smoke and chew. Loved the underdog, too, like tobacco farmers. Never met a tobacco farmer he didn't think deserved a subsidy.

Well, this isn't to deliver a eulogy, so I'll leave out some other of his foreign and domestic policy ideas. Let's just say he was a helluva guy. And wherever he goes, if there's a 17th century he'll be in heaven.

Arf