Is it just me or does Phyllis Schlafly look like Jean Kirkpatrick?

I think it is the similar look of age, income, and education: both women are in their 80s, both attended prestigious women's colleges.

Dr. K is, by far, the more interesting. She's been a Socialist, a Hubert Humphrey Democrat, a Reagan Democrat, and -- finally -- a Republican. Ms. S. is now what she was in the 50s.

While in DC as an eager young intern in the office of Congressman Gephardt, circa 1995, I once ran into Ambassador K in a hotel elevator. I was too nervous to say anything to her (though, in retrospect, I can scarcely imagine what I would have said in any event).

To this day, whenever I see her on television, my mind immediately travels back to that strange moment of being utterly (and improbably) starstruck.

1550s that is....