Tim Russert on William F. Buckley, Jr. at Notre Dame

[vince33x]

It is interesting to note that Daniel Moynihan moved toward Buckley as time moved along, as Buckley remained steadfast.

[DoNotBeHighandMighty]

Man, what a great homage to William Buckley by Tim Russert. Two great men. We truly do need more people like them around these days. Now we just have moronic fools who do whatever they can to get whatever they want, however they want, while compromising their integrity for power and higher positions.

[travisswarren123]

this was 2 mos. before Russert's death... well said, we miss you Tim!

[xtrmsprts]

"Someone who did not engage in long conversations" what the fuckity fuck??? a sentence by buckley outlived a tortoise.

[klimes86]

Russert and Buckley were hosts of two wonderful and indispensenable programmes.

[xtrmsprts]

@klimes86 i dont know about russert, but i'd willingly piss on the grave of buckley who despite his overgrown often-excessive vocabulary was a primitive creationist kook

[FAHayek89]

When Limbaugh, Hannity, Olberman, and Maddow are the standards for political commentary, it is refreshing to remember that men like Buckley and Russert lead the fray only a few years ago. These men were giants - men of letters with great minds.

Too often now, political commentary is limited to conducting a pep ralley for one's own side.

[NGS712]

FAHayek: I agree completely.

I didn't know much about either, but they seemed to be public figures who remembered that they were just people. Most of today's media figures act like they're demi-gods or something. :P

[timleebee]

True.

[chukmaty]

We still have Prager...

[jbroughman00]

@FAHayek89 you must remember, Bukley had extremely high regard for Limbaugh. They were actually close friends and spent quite a bit of time together.

[FAHayek89]

@jbroughman00 I don't disagree, though I am not sure it is a high point for Buckley. For good or bad, he often personally befriended people on a personal level, and then backed them publically. Usually, his ability to form close and loyal friendships that translated into loyal public approval was a great character trait of his. On some occasions, his graciousness could also be a flaw, as in his sometimes defense of Pinochet based on personal friendship.

[Capt777harris]

@FAHayek89 No they weren't. Limbaugh is not a real conservative, but rather an exaggeration of one. He may hold those ideals, but he's more or less a polarizing agent to extract the more extreme conservatives; i.e. vette the crazy conservatives, and keep an eye on them.

[pfg999]

It's hard to believe that both Buckley and Russert are gone. He makes an enormously valuable point about how people on opposite sides of the spectrum can have an honest, civil debate - and then respect one another when it was over, and even be friends. He specfically mentions how that is lacking today. How right he is! RIP Tim and Bill.

[Incognito1990]

Tim Russert and Bill Buckley, two brilliant, towering figures of American history who shall be well missed. Go Bills!

[periechontology]

Great Post.