Tom Korologos, a legendary Republican political adviser famed for his expertise in navigating Senate confirmation hearings, passed away at his home in Washington on July 26 at the age of 91. His death was attributed to complications from heart problems, according to his son, Philip.
The Washington Post reported that Korologos spent nearly five decades as a pivotal figure in Washington, guiding over 300 nominees through the arduous Senate confirmation process. His clientele included aspirants for Supreme Court seats, key Cabinet positions, and other critical roles.
Among the many notable hearings he advised on were those of William Rehnquist in 1972, Donald H. Rumsfeld in 1975, and Robert H. Bork in 1987.
His expertise was not limited to Republican nominees; he also provided counsel to Democratic nominees such as Susan Rice in 2009.
His effective influence in the Senate often earned him the moniker "101st senator." Korologos once illustrated his role by saying, “The confirmation hearing, and that ritual, is something that is a fairly different kind of world. We are intermediaries.”
Tom Korologos described his role as a "translator" of the confirmation process, ensuring nominees were meticulously prepared.
He believed in preempting challenging inquiries, once advising, “What is your nightmare question you don’t want them to ask? You better have an answer for it, because they’re going to ask it.”
Though he spent much of his career behind the scenes, Korologos faced the Senate himself in 2004 when he was nominated by President George W. Bush for the ambassadorship to Belgium. During his tenure, he staunchly defended U.S. policies in Iraq and initiated a program aimed at fostering connections between Muslims in the U.S. and Belgium.
During President Bush's visit to Brussels in 2005, Korologos had to navigate through anti-American protests.
He candidly mentioned, “He’s not popular anywhere in Europe, but the good news is they didn’t vote.”
Korologos was actively involved in high-level political maneuvering during critical historical moments. In the Watergate era, he notably provided a telling Senate scorecard which exposed the dwindling support for President Nixon, culminating in his resignation.
He also played a discreet yet impactful role at the 1976 Republican National Convention, participating in significant political discussions and strategy sessions.
His involvement in the contentious Bork hearings saw him manage internal conflicts while steering through overwhelming adversities.
Reflecting on the Bork hearings, Korologos remarked, “All of a sudden I’m refereeing these two warring staffers who wanted a piece of the action.” He maintained that transforming the hearings into political campaigns was contrary to the Founding Fathers' intentions.
Korologos’ diplomatic skills were well-recognized, a fact highlighted by his opening statement to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, “I know how to negotiate. I know how to build consensus. I know how to close the deal. And as many of you know firsthand, I am also able to twist arms and kick shins if I have to in order to get my point across.”
Widely respected for his acumen, he did not hesitate to voice his opinions on contemporary political situations. In an August 2016 commentary, he predicted Hillary Clinton's victory in the upcoming U.S. election—a prognosis that did not come to fruition.
Korologos’ personal life saw its shares of joy and sorrow. His first wife, Joy Goff, died in 1997, and his second wife, Ann McLaughlin, passed away in 2023. He is survived by three children, a brother, a sister, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandsons.
Tom Korologos, whose enduring influence in Senate confirmation hearings earned him the nickname "101st senator," passed away at 91.
His near fifty-year advisory career is distinguished by his guidance in over 300 key nominations. A man of profound political insight and unparalleled negotiation skills, Korologos' legacy in Washington remains indelible.
His family disclosed his passing as resulting from heart complications. Though both his marriages ended with the passing of his spouses, his legacy continues through his surviving family members. The legacy he leaves extends far beyond his familial ties, forever embedded in the annals of American political history.
