Before there was Goldwater or Reagan, there was Bill Buckley

by Newt Gingrich

Before there was Goldwater or Reagan, there was Bill Buckley.

From writing books, to creating, leading and sustaining National Review Magazine, to his 33-year run as the host of Firing Line on television, Bill Buckley became the indispensable intellectual advocate from whose energy, intelligence, wit, and enthusiasm the best of modern conservatism drew its inspiration and encouragement.

It was not until William F. Buckley, Jr., founded National Review Magazine in 1955 that the tide began to slowly turn for conservatives. National Review was a lonely voice of conservatism in an overwhelmingly liberal establishment. Buckley began what led to Senator Barry Goldwater and his Conscience of a Conservative that led to the seizing of power by the conservatives from the moderate establishment within the Republican Party. From that emerged Ronald Reagan. Bill stood up to defend freedom as a positive value of greater moral worth than either the state and the elite, and over time his work had a transformational impact on the quality of American politics that continues even today.

He was a wonderful friend, a great patriot, and a lively human being. Callista and I are praying for him and those who loved him. He will be missed.

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Comments
By mwf56 @ Tuesday, March 04, 2008 6:39 PM
I watched Mr. Buckley in wonderment when I was visiting my grandma in the late sixties, and when hangin' with my dad in the den around the same time period. I used to stay up late to catch him on Carson. I watched him for years to come - 'out on my own'. And recently I'd get his columns to read on "my.yahoo" front page; couldn't wait to see each one! I'm now 52, but was excited as a kid at Christmas to get 'em! He was my hero intellectually. My grandma and dad were teachers and always valedictorians, and they relished him. All 3 have passed now. I feel a giant sense of loss and sadness. Thank you Newt 4 what you do. I am a big fan of yours also.
By harley9743 @ Tuesday, March 04, 2008 5:00 PM
Mr. Buckley will be missed. I blame him for being one of the reasons I had to buy a dictionary. Thank you Mr. Gingrich for being on our side. Or is that the other way 'round?
By dtgosnell @ Tuesday, March 04, 2008 2:08 PM
In my opinion, not since the venerable H. L. Mencken have we seen the likes of such a mind as that of Mr. Buckley. I would love to have seen him take on the former Mencken in a one-to-one encounter on any subject. I'm sure it would have been an epic event. In any event, Mr. Buckley leaves a cherished memory in those of us who grew up with him. I hope to soon make his acquaintance, but not too soon.
By BigJohnPilgrim @ Tuesday, March 04, 2008 1:08 PM
As a young airman serving under Jimmy Carter, and having been convinced by my high school government teacher that I was a Democrat because I was 'for change', I read an interview with Bill Buckley where he stated that women on welfare should be sterilized to prevent them from having additional children and further burdening the welfare system. As shocking as this was at the time, it had merit, and I began watching Firing Line. As I watched Buckley repeatedly shred the vacuous political positions of Michael Kinsley, I realized how empty of merit the Democratic party had become, and by the 1980 presidential election, I cast my first vote, as a Republican. Thank you, Bill Buckley.
By jjrn13 @ Tuesday, March 04, 2008 12:48 PM
Thank you so very much. With the passing of Mr. Buckley, I found myself feeling, not just sad, but scared. Yes, actually freightened by the question, "my God, who's left?" Feeling so empty and vulnerable ... like all of the real men of import and intelligence whom we need so despirately to recognize truth and speak it loudly to the masses. Then I received an email from my brother highlighting your video on terrorism in our nation.
Despite feeling scared to death hearing your message, I also felt a strong sense of relief. "OK, it's ok. We're not alone. There's still Newt."
God bless you. God keep you with us.

Judyann Joyner Pulis
By rdeuel @ Tuesday, March 04, 2008 12:30 PM
Your approach is soft but a highly effective one. You need to get on the air more frequently and continue using your soft belly punch delivery to get the message to the masses.
Rick Deuel
Rochester, N.Y.
By kj4bcc @ Tuesday, March 04, 2008 11:12 AM
In a way it saddens me to read all these comments about WFB Jr. as this great "conservative thinker",in all the years I watched and read WFB Jr. I never thought of him that way,from the time I first saw or heard of him was in the 60s in high school,and from that moment on I always thought of him as the most intelligent man in this country,not because he was a conservative,simply because he was intelligent.I always looked forward to hearing him or reading him above all else,his passing will leave a big blank space in the lives of millions of people who hunger for the truth.
By gfandrews @ Monday, March 03, 2008 1:49 PM
During my life I have been exposed to some of the great conservative minds of our times... many had the ability to communicate with the enlightened, but probably lacked the ability to get their message across to the masses. A pity, actually, that of Buckley, Goldwater, Reagan and Gingrich, likely only the Gipper had the ability to reach across that bridge. Oh how we desparately need his equal in that respect.
By ericrobinson @ Saturday, March 01, 2008 8:12 PM
After having a little time to ponder Buckley's passing, and think back to how RR made us chuckle, their unique - but different - ways of injecting humor into any discussion of society or politics made each a national treasure.
By cmgirard99 @ Friday, February 29, 2008 2:40 PM
William Buckley was a genius. I enjoyed watching him on Firing Line. I have also enjoyed National Review Magazine at which Rich Lowry now does a great job.

I am in complete agreement with ericrobinson. At the corporation where I work, for example, the level of literacy among entry level management is absurd. Among the rank and file, who spend all their free time on MySpace or their remaining income on drinking or entertainment media (instead of saving) the literacy problem is even worse.
By ericrobinson @ Friday, February 29, 2008 12:22 AM
Unfortunately, the intentional destruction of America's public school system by the Left severely limited his ability to reach the vast majority of our people. His skill with the language and his humor might as well have expressed in Latin, considering the literacy rates.
By barneym @ Thursday, February 28, 2008 11:28 AM
Once I thought there were never be another Goldwater, but Reagan emerged.
I now believe there will never be another Reagan, and with more concern will there ever be another Bill Buckley. Newt, this country needs you more than ever, please stay with us. God bless
By wayneyee @ Thursday, February 28, 2008 4:51 AM
Newt,

You are correct when you say, 'Before there was Goldwater or Reagan, there was Bill Buckley."
As a former Yafer, I am proud to say that I was one of Bill Buckley's foot soldiers in the
Young Americans for Freedom (YAF),an organization that he founded in 1960. YAF, a national
conservative youth organization helped to shape several generations of conservative minded
political leaders and activists. Newt, with Newt.org and American Solutions you have built
two unstoppable vehicle that is helping to shape the conservative conscience and political
landscape of America today and of the future. I join you in saying that William Buckley
will be missed.

Wayne Yee
San Francisco, California
By Dunbar @ Wednesday, February 27, 2008 11:22 PM
Newt, As you looked up to William Buckley I look up to you as the leading conservative thinker of our time. I read his column whenever I could but I subscribe to you.

Thank you for representing me.

David Dunbar
Tomball, Texas
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