Four Cheers for Christopher Buckley, Son of William F.

OK, if you haven't heard about this listen up. Christopher Buckley, son of William F. Buckley, the Godfather of modern American conservatism, just announced his support for Barack Obama.

This matters. A lot.

George Will and David Brooks haven't gone that far yet, but they are flirting with it. If they have anything like Christopher Buckley's balls they will do it soon, while it still matters.

I was going to title this post Two Cheers For Christopher Buckley. I was thinking he should lose a cheer because he wasn't there in the first place. But then I watched him with Chris Mathews tonight and heard him explain his Obama endorsement and his offer to resign from his father's magazine -- The National Review. He actually thought his offer wouldn't be accepted because he believes in the free expression of ideas. It's part of his understanding of conservatism. "As long as you have an argument," he said -- that should let you into the conversation.

But his resignation was accepted in a flash.

His story is powerful. All the more so because he admits his own status has always depended on his father's. He has genuine humility, which you hardly ever see anymore. And that helps explain why he is supporting Obama.

Here's the reason: he has realized that in Obama we have a first class temperament wedded to first class mind. That's it. Respect for intelligence and character has always been the best thing about authentic conservatism. They, the authentic conservatives, have always been the real elitists.

So Christopher is just being true to his values. He's saying let's not elect someone who is just like me, just like the average person. Let's elect someone better -- someone fit to lead.

So not two cheers for Mr. Buckley. Four cheers for this man.

Comments

[artist861]

I always loved listening to William F. Buckley's brilliant meanderings, though I agreed with none of his politics. I am impressed that his son has the character to call it like it is, even though his actions will surely enrage many of his famous father's fans and followers. If I could email him personally, I would convey my great respect.

[saami]

I concur, Mr. Buckley is one who made the right choice and is a man of conscience and thought.

[NotMcCain]

I have much more respect for Christopher Buckley--as a writer and a man--than I did for his father.

On his MSNBC interview yesterday, he seemed to have offered his resignation as a way to help NR save face (conservatives, apparently, lose face and incur irate attacks by simply being HONEST and using REASONS to back up their opinions)--but didn't really think it would be accepted. He still seemed a bit stunned by the outcome.

I hope that when the election is over (and readers are no longer threatening to cancel subscriptions when they don't like a writer's opinion), he'll get his job back.

In the meantime...four cheers? Most definitely. Making a public stand like that took real guts (especially after Parker had been so excoriated for less).

[SassyGranny]

Even though I am a lifelong liberal, I always admired William F. Buckley for his intellect. I'm happy to be able to say the same thing about his son.

[editrix66]

And he did write Thank You for Smoking, which is a great book. One cheer just for that.

[uglicoyote]

I used to watch Bill Buckley and, although I seldom agreed with him on much, I always admired his intellectual integrity. He brought on his show some some great minds with opposing views and a cogent and intelligent argument usually resulted.. Not the same kind of exciting as in "Sex and the City" but exciting none-the-less. Not much on T.V. today that bears any resemblance to "Firing Line."

[DoTheMath]

Are we witnessing a resurgence of intellectual integrity? I'll take, and cheer, any signs of it that I can find. Thank you for recognizing this sign. The Buckley name and the fact that his integrity cost him something tangible are highly symbolic.

Come on, educated conservatives, take an honest, thoughtful look at this contest. Look at all the evidence, everything you know, and reach a logical, well-informed conclusion. Who is the best candidate for the job?

[AbeMartin]

Christopher Buckley is a terrific journalist who has exposed himself to real danger many times to uncover the truth for his readership. His father, too, was not afraid of ideas or of considering a point of view that he might not feel comfortable with.

McCain is not a strong candidate. And whether the Pallinist's and McCainites choose to believe it many, many thoughtful Republicans and Conservatives are going to cross the aisle and vote for Obama.

[Halsey]

Great idea..not that Jr, Buckley needs the money..but a way to show him that he did an honorable deed...would be to buy a book... sadly...it'll have to wait until I pay off my utility bill...

[jmpurser]

When you set a ship on fire, the rats are likely to leave. This does not indicate that any particular character strengths are to be found in the rat.

[Bitsko]

Don't sweat it. The family stinks of money.

[Manx]

Buckley is what John McCain only pretends to be - a maverick.

[mebble]

Of course. Obama is the truly conservative candidate. It's high time to review and renew the political lexicon. Or get back to it.

[jmpurser]

For a country trying to make "English Only" the law of the land we've done some really terrible things to the language haven't we?

[MissKaren]

The Republican Party needs eight years to purge itself of the neocon and religious right elements that brought it to ruin. The next eight years, when Obama is busy making the Justice Department just again and reviving the Constitution, give the GOP a chance to return to what it should be and once was -- concerned about deficits, insisting on priorities, trying to make sure that the , conservative principles of Buckley, Goldwater, Brooks, Will and other thoughtful people are front and center and getting rid of the dross that Cheney and Bush brought aboard.

[ElBruce]

Dude, anybody who would write a paycheck with Bill Kristol's name on it is intellectually dishonest to begin with. As goes the Republican party, so goes the NR: down the toilet.

[mebble]

And it wasn't a moment too soon.

[HeevenSteven]

Seems you have to toe the line at the NR. Nothing like a free exchange of ideas, eh? I've been telling some of my friends for years that it ain't you fathers Republican party anymore; seems it isn't Christopher's father's either. Kudos to him for his candor. I think I'll go buy on of his books.