My first reaction is whether he is a Republican or Democrat, I must need help...
LOL... you do need help... :-)
One should know, so they can express the appropriate amount of grief. I remember when JFK died, I was extremely upset because regular television programming was suspended until further notice, and I missed a movie I was planning to watch that following Saturday. I still remember the name of the movie, and I haven't gotten to see it since. It's amazing how that stuff has an impact on you. Even when you're only 11.