I am so sad to report that Roger Simon died early this morning. He had been ill for some months but went peacefully at the end. He was a brilliant journalist, a gifted columnist, the author of many books about presidential campaigns and other things. He was also wickedly funny. He was courageous in the face of adversity that befell him more than a dozen years ago. So much to be admired. He was Chicago born and worked there and in Baltimore before closing out his remarkable career in Washington, lastly at Politico. He and I met as college journalists and he and his wife Marcia became the dearest of friends with my wife Nancy and me for 60 years. I mourn his loss and know so many others will too. RIP, Friend.