Alexander Haig, Former Top White House Official, Dies

Gen. Alexander Haig, who served several Republican presidents in key positions, has passed away:

Alexander Haig, the four star Army general who served three Republican presidents, including a stint as secretary of state, died Saturday of complications from an infection. He was 85 and surrounded by family in his last hours.

Haig, who held top White House posts under presidents Nixon, Ford and Reagan, launched his own candidacy for president in 1988, but his campaign never took off and Republicans chose George H.W. Bush.

Fairly or not, he will be remembered for his over-reaching remark after the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan, when, as secretary of state, he declared, "As of now, I am in control here in the White House, pending the return of the vice president." Haig later acknowledged he had used a poor choice of words and would have a hard time living down the line.

He'll always be remembered for that press conference following the shooting of Reagan. There's more about Haig's life and career at the link.