Breaking: Paul Simon (D-IL) dies while undergoing heart surgery

[MercutioATC]

in Chicago. No further details yet.

[trumad]

1. Holy Crap....

[Old and In the Way]

2. Wow, that's terrible. Condolences to his family.

[Big_Mike]

88. A tremendous loss

The loss to our nation is nearly as great as his loss to his family.

There were moments when I disagreed with him, but always with profound respect. He was not one to stir up trouble simply for trouble's sake. He always spoke from principle.

The nation shall suffer his loss. He was a superb man and brought honor to the term Politician.

[Walt Starr]

3. Oh man!

DAMN DAMN DAMN DAMN DAMN!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. That is truly heartbreaking.

[JohnKleeb]

5. holy cow

I am sorry Ilinois, he was a great senator, one I would have loved to had myself. I remember watching him growing up. Thats a tough blow and I know he had endorsed Dean recently too. RIP Paul Simon, a good senator and a good man.

[greatauntoftriplets]

6. Now being reported on WBEZ...

NPR in Chicago.

How sad, I liked him so much.

[RandomKoolzip]

7. NO KIDDING?!

God, that's awful...sorry Paul and family. RIP....

[XanaDUer]

8. Terrible

we are losing too many good people.

[Skidmore]

9. Paul was a great man.

Go in peace, Paul.

[hlthe2b]

10. I used to fear news bulletins, early morning phone calls, radio

bulletins... Now, I guess I have to dread LBN Breaking... RIP, Paul... You were one of the good guys with a big, albeit, not strong, heart.

[mndemocrat_29]

11. That's so sad

He was such a great senator.

[eyesroll]

12. Wow. Sad news.

He was my Senator when I was growing up.

[unfrigginreal]

13. Oh No!

Damn. Thoughts to the family.

[Westegg]

14. Simon dead?

If true, that's awful. I always thought he was a very decent and good man. The U.S. govt. could use more like him. And (I'm not being flip here), I really dug his bow-ties!

[MoonAndSun]

15. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends and to the

Democratic Party. We have lost a good man.

[ajacobson]

16. Wow.

Oh man.

[wryter2000]

17. Oh, no!

How sad. He was one of the good ones. :cry:

[Liberal Veteran]

18. That's just awful.

My condolensces to his family.

[MinnFats]

19. I am so very sad to hear that. He had a lot left to do.

I always thought highly of him.

what was the problem? bypass surgery?

thoughts & prayers with his family.

[rbnyc]

20. So sad.

I'm at work, but I just had to check in and be with ya'll.

:(

[ignatius]

21. We have lost a lot of good people this year.

God speed, Senator Simon.

[SpiralHawk]

22. Requisquat in Pachem Senator Simon

Thank you for your service.

With a Memorial Tip of the Spiral Hawk Wing

[Forkboy]

23. Wow...that's really sad

He was a good guy :-(

[Dover]

24. NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

I'm just so shocked and sad.......

What a life he had, and what a contribution to the planet.

[davidinalameda]

25. what a loss to this country

my thoughts are with his family

I hope that Chimpy doesn't send VP Dick to the funeral

[flamingyouth]

26. Horrible news

Just awful - my heart goes out to his family, friends and neighbors back in Illinois. Thank you, Paul...

[Newsjock]

27. Story link here

http://www.nbc5.com/news/2693711/detail.html

CHICAGO -- Former Ill. Senator Paul Simon reportedly has died a day after he underwent heart surgery Monday at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Ill.

Simon, 75, was taken to the hospital complaining of shortness of breath on Thursday.

Surgery Tuesday was intended to repair a leaky heart valve. Doctors said they planned to perform by-pass surgery at the same time.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., has called a 4:30 p.m. news conference to discuss Simon's death.

more

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

28. Condolences and a question

What party is the Governor of that state?

[Kitsune]

31. Governor Rod R. Blagojevich of Illinois

He's a Dem.

http://www.nga.org/governors/1,1169,C_GOVERNOR_INFO^D_395,00.html

[hlthe2b]

33. Simon was a former, not current Senator.... thus moot point

RIP, Senator.

[illini]

34. He is a former Senator.

nt

[eyesroll]

37. The governor is a Democrat, but Paul Simon was retired

so there won't be any appointments.

Here's the Chicago Tribune link:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-031209simonobit,1,5058963.story?coll=chi-newsbreaking-hed

[Vitruvius]

65. And the New York Times link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/09/politics/09WIRE-SIMO.html

[veganwitch]

29. what!!!

oh my goodness. i didnt know there was anything wrong (that would need surgery.) what a terrible loss.

[deutsey]

30. Aw damn

RIP, Paul.

[illini]

32. Man we lost a good one.

Many can claim that all polititians are crooks and only look out for themselves. YOU CANT SAY THAT ABOUT PAUL SIMON!!!!!!!!!!!! I will mourn his loss!!!!!!!!!! :(

[GainesT1958]

35. Oh No!

I'm REALLY SORRY for his family, his former constituents, and ALL of his fans...

Of whom I was always one!:-(

I recall meeting him at a campaign stop in Raleigh in 1988--when N.C. was a part of that year's Super Tuesday primaries...he was really personable...much more so than any of the other candidates. That really impressed me about him.

It's sad to lose one of the really GOOD GUYS of politics!

B-)

[never cry wolf]

36. damn

Be at peace Paul, my Senator. And thanks!

[goobergunch]

38. Wow.

Terrible news. We have truly lost one of the great Senators of our time. :'(

[alphafemale]

39. Very sad and shocking n/t

[Kool Kitty]

40. This is sad.

I hope he didn't suffer and my condolences to his family. I liked him alot.

[KharmaTrain]

41. Homage To My Senator

I am dumbfounded. The other night I heard he had endorsed Dean and was going in for surgery...then this. Words can't express the emptiness.

He was not only the greatest Senator Illinois has ever sent to Washington, but was an inspiring figure to many. I met him several times when I lived in Southern Illinois...always at home and down-to-earth.

Thank goodness we have another great Senator in Dick Durbin and here's hoping he's joined by another Democrat next year.

[Rose Siding]

42. Rest his soul

My heartfelt condolences to his family and those who knew him well

[soleft]

43. The Bow Tie

I will always remember Al Franken doing him on SNL.

RIP

[Ace R. Rubrum]

44. Another midwest centrist passes

Little guy with urbane persona, famous for his bow ties and deep voice, right? WWII vet as I recall. Damn shame. May God have mercy on his soul.

[helleborient]

45. Personal remembrance...

Being from Illinois, Paul Simon will be sadly sadly missed.

I remember a trip I was lucky enough to take part in to D.C. when I was 17 or 18...Paul Simon could be easily picked out on the floor of the U.S. House due to the bow-tie. I was on a trip sponsored by rural electric cooperatives, and Simon spoke to our group in one of the House office buildings.

Later, when I was in college, the seemingly single bright spot to the devastating 1984 election was Paul Simon's upset of Charles Percy to take his Senate seat. I voted absentee in that election as I was out of state in college, and I remember waiting up until after 1 a.m. that night for the good news from Illinois that finally came.

Paul Simon was a mentor for our current Democratic Senator Dick Durbin.

Just days ago I ordered Sen. Simon's current book "Our Culture of Pandering" for my public library. It has received stellar reviews as political analysis as does all of his work. He has been serving as a senior scholar at Southern Illinois University.

When he endorsed Howard Dean, for me, it was easily the most meaningful endorsement from a public figure - more meaningful than that of Al Gore - due to what he has been for the state of Illinois. I remember talking to my wife and hearing the endorsement was from his hospital bed and us both hoping he wasn't making the endorsement at that moment out of fear he would not survive surgery.

This is very very sad...but it is also a time to celebrate the contributions of one of our truly great public servants!

[Rainbowreflect]

46. Oh no!

This is so sad. My prayers are with his family and friends.

[Scott Lee]

47. Hat's off to one of the Good Ones.

I've always liked this guy. Prayers to his family, and Best Wishes on his walk into The Summerland.

[pmbryant]

48. Very sad

Always admired Simon, who was my Senator when I was younger.

I wish I could remember whether it was him or Al Gore who I voted for in the 1988 primaries, my first Presidential vote.

RIP Paul Simon.

:-(

--Peter

[soleft]

49. The Bow Tie

I will always remember Al Franken doing him on SNL.

RIP

[Hand]

50. One of the great ones...

An honest, genuinely compassionate politician who worked for the good of the people--you can't say better of any legislator. I admired his modesty and unpretentious style, his intelligence, his... well, everything about him.

Anyone else remember the time he and Paul Simon of Simon and Garfunkel *both* appeared on Saturday Night Live (back when it didn't suck) as the guest hosts? They did this hilarious deadpan number that ran toward, "Well, it looks like we've gotten mixed up again. Are you sure I'm the guest host, or is it you? Gee, maybe we need to check with the producer.."

Goodbye, Paul. Safe journey onward--and know that this is a better world for your presence here.

:cry: :grouphug:

[Hand]

51. One of the great ones...

An honest, genuinely compassionate politician who worked for the good of the people--you can't say better of any legislator. I admired his modesty and unpretentious style, his intelligence, his... well, everything about him.

Anyone else remember the time he and Paul Simon of Simon and Garfunkel *both* appeared on Saturday Night Live (back when it didn't suck) as the guest hosts? They did this hilarious deadpan number that ran toward, "Well, it looks like we've gotten mixed up again. Are you sure I'm the guest host, or is it you? Gee, maybe we need to check with the producer.."

Goodbye, Paul. Safe journey onward--and know that this is a better world for your presence here.

:cry: :grouphug:

[Cadfael]

52. RIP Paul

He was a great senator and a greater man....he will be sorely missed.

[WillyT]

53. Thank You For Your Service To Our Country Senator Simon !!!

Rest in peace...

O8)

[MaineDem]

54. What an absolute shame

A great loss.

Remember the SNL with both Paul Simons?

My condolences to the people of Illinois and especially to his family.

[undergroundrailroad]

55. I feel so much sorrow hearing this breaking news.

Condolences to the family of Senator Paul Simon. I have long admired Senator Simon and he made a difference in the lives of so many . He was also a brilliant author and one who brought honesty and integrity to everything he did. There is only one Senator Paul Simon, unique and unparalleled.

RIP Senator Simon. You will be missed. O8)

Undergroundrailroad

[Pastiche423]

56. Safe journey, Paul

My most heartfelt thoughts and condolences to his family and friends.

[juajen]

57. So sad

He was a really, really, good man, possessing great qualities, personally and politically. I'm sure his memory will linger in many hearts. May his mourners find solace in the good memories he left behind and inspiration from his political life to work for change in this country. God speed.

[madrchsod]

58. one of the greatest men to hold office

in this or any other state. a great man who did good works and deeds thru out his life. he is respected by his friends and his political foes. the world has lost great man and we all are poorer for it. rest in peace paul, you will be remembered

[PatGund]

59. What a shame

One of the better ones, bow tie and all.

Rest now Sen. Paul Simon. Greet your friends that have gone before, and watch over those that remain. For you, there shall be a returning.

[callous taoboy]

60. My heartfelt sympathies to the family.

[CBHagman]

61. No, no. Please, not another good man.

Oh, I hate this. I want to cry.

[benfranklin1776]

62. Sad. Very sad. My condolences to his grieving family.

His legacy of service will live on.

[AntiSmirk]

63. He died here in Springfield

It was local news here that he was undergoing the procedure. I had no idea it was so serious he might not make it. God bless you Paul.

[Hoppin_Mad]

64. A great man - A great American - RIP

nt

[PBinOregon]

66. All Blessings On Senator Simon

He was on a radio program here just awhile back, taking questions from the host and from callers--his answers were spot on, I thought, always well thought out and articulated, always repectful and even hopeful. He was a great person, a great senator.

[Minstrel Boy]

67. a good man

One of the best presidents America never had.

[kentuck]

68. He was a great liberal Senator....

I remember him well.

[Lefty48197]

69. We've lost another great one

Paul was my first choice in 1988. RIP friend.

[Rich Hunt]

70. Noooo!!

He was much loved in Illinois.

RIP.

[Senryu Sid]

71. The best democrat ever

As a Chicago Democrat, I mourn the loss of
a great Democratic U.S. Senator. His stentorian
voice will always echo in the corridors of Congress.

Greg Jungheim
Chicago

http://www.senryusid.com

[BarbaRosa]

72. Sad

very sad.

[Piperay]

73. Sad...

I always really really liked Simon, he was highly intelligent. R-I-P Senator Simon. :-(

[pinto]

74. In politics, he was the real thing. That's rare. Fare well.

[Martin Eden]

75. He was the first Congressman I ever voted for

I went to school in Southern Illinois, turned 18 and registered to vote down there (I'm from Chicago), and had the pleasure of being in his district.

If only we had many more like Paul Simon. He will be missed.

[David Campo]

76. Simon was a great man!

I was one of those running his Colorado campaign. Senator Simon was the last candidate for president before Howard Dean I was willing to do ANYTHING for. He was a wonderful human being.

I will never forget how NOW endorsed his female Republican candidate because she was a woman, when there was no senator who supported feminism more than he. That was a travesty, and the beginning of the end for NOW.

[jobycom]

77. RIP to one of my favorite Democrats. Condolences to all. nt

nt

[davsand]

78. Sen. Paul Simon, we will miss you.

I heard that on our news earlier today. I'd tried to put something up here on it and couldn't actually do it till now.

I genuinely liked Sen Simon a great deal. He was an amazing man and incredibly warm and gracious in his personal demeanor.

I will never forget the first time I met him--many many years ago, he was the very first Senatorial cadidate I'd ever met. I had a camera with me, and I was reluctant to even ask if he'd consent to a photo.

I shook his hand and introduced myself and he looked down and saw that camera and asked if I was wanting a photo taken with him. When I got flustered he called his wife over and asked her if she'd take a couple photos of us together. She snapped like four or five and handed me the camera back. I turned to leave and he stopped me and said, why don't we talk a bit... That was pretty heady stuff for a neophyte.

Last time I saw him was at a cocktail reception in honor of his retirement from the Senate. He had been a multiterm Senator in some of the toughest committees in our Senate and he was still that same sweet old gentleman that had his wife snap a few for some panic stricken newby.

My sympathies to his family. He will be missed.

Laura

[JI7]

79. good bye senator

a good man.

[VolcanoJen]

80. Sad kick.

:-(

[Doomsayer13]

81. RIP Paul Simon (Hero-Illinois)

I am dumbfounded by the loss of my hero. I could only hope to be a great a man as he. He was a man who represented what was good and right about a public servant, for his principles, for America, and for the people. His autobiography sits on my bookshelf, and I'm going to pick it up and look through it tonight to commemorate his celebrated career. You just don't get guys as good as Senator Simon anymore.

[jbm]

82. Paul Simon...

was one of a handful of politicians I have always admired. I'm very sorry to hear of his death.

[GinaMaria]

83. R.I.P.

:'(

[JoFerret]

84. R.I.P. Paul Simon

Thanks for everything.

[Unknown Known]

85. One of my favorites - see you on the other side, Paul!

One great loss to mankind

He's working with the angels now O8)

[Hailtothechimp]

86. A short story about Sen. Simon....

It was election night, 1992. Carol Moseley-Braun had just been elected to the Senate (She and Clinton had run their campaigns together in Chicago) and I was at the returns/victory party for the two campaigns. It was a great night. Anyway, Paul Simon was introduced as the SENIOR senator from Illinois, and the crowd loved that. And he took the microphone and declared that "The Reagan-Bush era is over" Sent chills down my spine.

I am saddened at this loss, but am comforted by the fact that Dick Durbin is ably carrying on his work in the Senate.

[oxymoron]

87. What awful news.

It's so unexpected and such a loss. You will be missed Paul.

[SmokeyBlues]

89. A man of principle and compassion

I always enjoyed listening to the ‘senior’ senator from Illinois speak about the pressing political issues of the day. From what I saw of him on television, he appeared genuine and compassionate, a person who really cared about making this country fair and open to all its citizens.

Democrats/Liberals/Progressives lost a good man when he retired from the senate, now the entire country has lost a good man with his passing away. Peace to you Senator Simon.

[Norbert]

90. Godspeed to you Paul

You will be missed.

Even a couple of far right Repub friends I know thought he was a man of integrity.

[lebkuchen]

91. Simon put his heart and soul into politics

to make the world a better place.

[goforit]

92. WOW!!!!!.......All the good souls have been taken.

O8) :cry: O8)

[goforit]

93. He's in a better place.............most certainly.

May the bugle horn play across the Milkyway galaxy to welcome
you to a new place in time.

You did what you could do for Humanity and now it is up
to Humanity to stand on their own.

God bless you, Paul Simon.
Best wishes to you on your new journey.

May we remember what you stood for.