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Writers Parse Buckley's Legacy

What ended his brand of conservatism—or does it endure?

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 28, 2008 3:36 PM CST

(Newser) – William F. Buckley Jr. was a titan on the political scene, carving out his own brand of conservatism. But one day after his death, writers differ on his legacy:

At Slate, Timothy Noah notes Buckley’s more noxious stances—defending segregationists and Joe McCarthy—and says it’s good fortune “Buckley’s man Ronald Reagan” didn’t accomplish goals of turning back civil-rights law and shrinking government. George W. Bush’s ascendance thankfully marked a return to Republicanism at peace with the New Deal.

Buckley biographer John Judis writes in the New Republic the late conservative went far on “gentleness and consideration,” managing to “fancy” himself anti-establishment while being a pragmatist and everyone’s friend. But Judis says Buckley’s vision died not because old-school Republicanism was reborn but rather because the religious right came to Washington.
Joe Lieberman, writing in the National Review, remembers winning Buckley’s support in his 1998 Senate race. He says the dynamo was so impressive because he “rejected extremism” and built a “modern American conservative moment” that “wasn’t necessarily a Republican movement.”

William F. Buckley Jr., and his wife Patricia attend Truman Capote's Black and White Ball at the Plaza Hotel in New York on Nov. 28, 1966. Buckley, the erudite Ivy Leaguer and conservative herald who... (Associated Press)

President Bush shakes hands with National Review founder William F. Buckley, Jr., left, after a tribute to the magazine and Buckley on Oct. 6, 2005 in Washington. Buckley, the erudite Ivy Leaguer and... (Associated Press)

William F. Buckley Jr. left, talks with former California Gov. Ronald Reagan at the South Carolina Governor's Mansion in Columbia S.C., on Jan. 13,1978, after the two debated the Panama Canal Treaty.... (Associated Press)

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Writers Parse Buckley's Legacy

What ended his brand of conservatism—or does it endure?

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Writers Parse Buckley's Legacy

What ended his brand of conservatism—or does it endure?

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

obituary • Joe Lieberman • Ronald Reagan • National Review • conservatism • William F. Buckley Jr.

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More Newser Stories

Buckley Leaves Conservatism Up the Creek

No clear inheritor to his thoughtful movement, says Newsweek writer

William F. Buckley Jr. Dies at 82

Influential conservative columnist founded National Review

Neocon Founder Kristol Dead at 89

A former liberal, he sparked ideas behind the Reagan Revolution

Populism Killed the Republican Party

Anti-elite attitude personified by Palin drove away base

Book Tour Shows Palin Hitting a Nerve

'Going Rogue' phenomenon may foreshadow something bigger

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Newser By Users

Community

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