Katon Dawson dates the beginning of his interest in

politics to the day when he joined the fight against

school desegregation in his home state of South Carolina.

He may date the end of his interest in politics to the day

he was defeated by Michael Steele, an African-American,

to be Chairman of the Republican National Committee.

That date will be easy for him to remember because

on that day South Carolina lost the final battle in

the War for Southern Independence.