Thursday, February 28, 2008

The Scourge of Liberalism dies at 82

William F. Buckley Jr., who marshaled polysyllabic exuberance, famously arched eyebrows and a refined, perspicacious mind to elevate conservatism to the center of American political discourse, died Wednesday at his home in Stamford, Conn. He was 82.

Here's the first half of a 1969 foreign policy debate between Noam Chomsky and William F. Buckley. Part 2 is here. You decide who actually "won" the debate. But there's no doubt that by 1980, Buckley would become the new establishment and Chomsky relegated to the "radical left fringe." If you're looking for more Buckley, try this episode from the Charlie Rose Show, "An Hour With William F. Buckley Jr." Buckley both defined and epitomized the modern conservative movement.