February 27, 2008
Posted: 11:34 AM ET
 William F. Buckley, Jr. has died.
William F. Buckley, Jr. has died.

(CNN) – National Review founder William F. Buckley Jr. died overnight at his home in Stamford, Conn., officials at the magazine confirmed Wednesday.

"I’m devastated to report that our dear friend, mentor, leader, and founder William F. Buckley Jr., died this morning in his study in Stamford, Connecticut," Kathryn Jean Lopez, editor of the National Review Online wrote on the Web site Wednesday.

"He died while at work; if he had been given a choice on how to depart this world, I suspect that would have been exactly it. At home, still devoted to the war of ideas. "

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Filed under: William F. Buckley


May he rest in peace   February 27th, 2008 11:43 am ET

Mr. Buckley was one of those journalist who are very true to their profession. To listen and read his writeups is like a breath of fresh air. We have lost another good journalist, a man with honor and integrity, who says things as is.

Thank you Mr. Buckley for all the good things you've done for our country, for opening our eyes when others in the field of journalism deliver tabloid news and writeups.

Rest in peace sir. My deepest condolence to the Buckley family.

Jim Schween   February 27th, 2008 12:00 pm ET

William F. Buckley was a giant of true conservatism. His was an intelligent and articulate argument unlike the "conservatives" today.

jlunz   February 27th, 2008 12:02 pm ET

We have lost a National Treasure

California Independent   February 27th, 2008 12:04 pm ET

It is truly sad to loose a journalist and man of integrity.

I'm guessing "Rob" is an Obama follower continuing to do his candidate proud.

ILoveAmerica   February 27th, 2008 12:07 pm ET

The article says Buckley died while at work - but I believe he actually died laughing, while watching a video clip of Hillary Clinton shouting "Shame on you!" at Barack Obama.

Brian   February 27th, 2008 12:10 pm ET

As a liberal, I'm sorry to hear of Mr. Buckley's death. He was an intelligent, "thinking" conservative, and although I didn't agree with much of anything he said, he was quite good at articulating the right's point of view.

If only modern politics were debated and framed by figures like Buckley and weren't dominated by the looney fringes of the left and right, our country would be better off today. My condolences to his family.

Yvonne   February 27th, 2008 12:10 pm ET

Mr. Buckley showed me how beautiful the English language is. What a delight it was to listen to him. He spoke and used our language so eloquently, yet made it simple to understand.
I am an immigrant and proud to speak English, although I do have an accent.
Thank you Mr. Buckley. The world will miss you.

Woz - Los Gatos, CA   February 27th, 2008 12:13 pm ET

Goodbye, old friend.

Josh Geller   February 27th, 2008 12:15 pm ET

I will really miss him.

It's the end of an era.

.

Obama Mama   February 27th, 2008 12:16 pm ET

As an avid Obama supporter, an independent with liberal leanings, and a woman, I am sad to hear of William Buckley's death.

He was an intellect, a scholar and exactly the kind of conservative to lead intelligent discourse on many subjects. I usually did not agree with his opinions, but always found them thoughtful and provocative (in the best sense of the word).

I would like to think that Mr. Buckley was exactly the kind of person that Senator Obama would welcome into discussions when speaking of including diverse groups and opinions.

Darth Vadik, CA   February 27th, 2008 12:17 pm ET

Rest in peace,

however, the idea of conservatism when it comes to economics is disasterous.

Pat A.   February 27th, 2008 12:20 pm ET

What a tremendous loss to humanity. Mr. Buckley was an outstanding intellect and scholar. He will be tremendously missed.

Kathryn Irby   February 27th, 2008 12:23 pm ET

The typical eccentric Republican!

Kathryn Irby
Metairie, LA

Ron   February 27th, 2008 12:29 pm ET

Great mind, presence and ability to convey his concervative message in a way that all understood. I believe he would not be happy with our politcal change now evolving.

Stu R. Manchester, VT   February 27th, 2008 12:34 pm ET

He was a hero to me in my youth, both for his intellect and his unrivalled use of language. I remember reading National Review in the college library and marvelling at his insight. Rest in peace.

Andre   February 27th, 2008 12:47 pm ET

The end of an era. He managed to be WRONG on all of the issues.

An Agnostic Democrat   February 27th, 2008 12:55 pm ET

Never agreed with him much, but always respected him for his thoughtful, well-reasoned opinions. May he rest in peace.

P.S. California Independent: Just because someone doesn't agree with you doesn't mean they are against your limited scope of thinking.
Try Buckley's approach - critical thinking and analysis! You don't have to stand against something just because you stand for something. You're starting to sound very all-or-nothing, black-and-white - call it what you will. Some of us don't even vote! We just happen to have strong opinions about the currrent political landscape or candidates which you seem very threatened by unless it's your own. Free speech? Not required to vote? All our inalienable rights, is that not correct, sir?

bullu   February 27th, 2008 12:56 pm ET

Did he die when he saw that the US is about to elect a Socialist president?

Matt   February 27th, 2008 1:06 pm ET

I may not have always agreed with him, but William F. Buckley Jr. is somebody that I respected for his intellect and his integrity. He will be missed.

Frank Lee   February 27th, 2008 1:22 pm ET

What a shame the Republican party has become a collection of crackpots and loud-mouthed extremists, unlike what Mr. Buckley envisioned.

Chris in Columbus   February 27th, 2008 1:23 pm ET

Goodnight, funnyman.

John Westra (www.votewestra.com)   February 27th, 2008 1:27 pm ET

William F. Buckley Jr. departs this world as an icon of political thought and informed, civilized discourse. Mr. Buckley and his analysis of important political issues, challenged me to always be a student of history, think "deeper" and never underestimate the power of wit as a tool to disarm my opponents.

Mr. Buckley, it is my fond hope that you are now in a place that can only be described by someone with your eloquence. You will be sorely missed.

Craig, New Jersey   February 27th, 2008 1:29 pm ET

goodbye

Bayou Joe   February 27th, 2008 1:29 pm ET

America has lost one of it's treasures. My prayers go out to his family. I am saddened that people of his stature are disappearing from the American landscape. We have nothing but hot air bags talking about economic issues and not doing anything about it.
He has been spared the sight of witnessing the downfall of capitalism and the rise of socialism in America.

Brian   February 27th, 2008 1:40 pm ET

Now that he is gone, will his history, working as a CIA operative, come to light?

Y.Lee   February 27th, 2008 1:59 pm ET

Such sad news. The Last Call for the creator of Blackford Oakes came much too soon. RIP William F. Buckley Jr., your political insight and humor will be dearly missed.

AaronK   February 27th, 2008 2:13 pm ET

WFB, back in the 50's and early 60's you were a bulwark of conservatism and libertarianism. After that, unfortunately, you fell into the trap that has eventually engulfed the Republican party known as neo-conservatism. I'll continue to look up to your younger self as a person to be idolized, but will also look up at your older self as one that was blinded by a newfound ideology: neo-conservatism.

len   February 27th, 2008 2:15 pm ET

He was an intelligent man who could see to the heart of issues that interested him, then explain them with a wit that was sharp but did not seek to hurt as much as enlighten. He was unafraid of being unpopular or even of taking a side that differed from his conservative nature if the thought that side to be right and just.

Buckley was any thinking persons' mentor. I will miss him.

Wilhemina   February 27th, 2008 2:16 pm ET

Mr. Buckley has gone to complete his highest calling, his job here with us was well done. Our best has crossed over, my his family receive some comfort in knowing how William F. Buckley "is" Nationally and Internationally loved, admired, and respected.

Farrell, Houston, Tx   February 27th, 2008 2:18 pm ET

I simply loved listening to Mr. Buckley and knew he had been ill. If one had never heard this great scholar speak, you missed a real treat. God speed, Mr. Buckley.

Glen Bentley   February 27th, 2008 2:19 pm ET

Because of William F. Buckley Jr. I became a republican. Because of George Bush and partners I became a democrat again.

Peace and prayers to the Buckley family.

Michael   February 27th, 2008 2:20 pm ET

Andre, the eminent Mr. Buckley would smile, pat you on your callow head, and wish you a good day. We have lost a giant.

VP   February 27th, 2008 2:20 pm ET

Hillary just stated: One less vote for Obama

Tolu, Minneapolis, MN   February 27th, 2008 2:33 pm ET

Mr. Buckley was indeed a thinker. A huge loss for the intellectual world.

R.I.P!

David   February 27th, 2008 2:45 pm ET

I guess they'll miss him and the weirdness at Bohemian Grove. weirdos.

Mary   February 27th, 2008 2:52 pm ET

It figures that, in a time when crowds applaud Obama for everything from borrowed lines to nose-blowing, some would wax all idol-worship-y over Buckley - mainly because of his Obama-esque capacity for turning an English phrase. How superficial!

Buckley was as arrogant as any human can be, and in this, he was the most perfect representative of conservatives everywhere.

Gary in CT   February 27th, 2008 3:34 pm ET

Farewell, Mr. Buckley. And…thank you!

George T   February 27th, 2008 3:40 pm ET

Oh please VP! He would never have voted for either Clinton nor Obama. You are such a pig!Quit your whining.

Mr. Buckley was a prominent conservative with a kind heart. He always went the extra mile and gave a enormously to the conservative ideology.

Rest in peace wonderful thinker. You will be missed!

Ken, Suitland MD   February 27th, 2008 4:08 pm ET

I'll give him one thing: he was more eloquent than the followers of the right-wing view-point he championed. But eloquence and entertainment do NOT substitute for intelligence. His routine, vapid suppport of right wing policies, combined with the nonsense I used to hear come out of his mouth in his attempts to "beat the left", were evidence of an emperor without clothes.

I saw him defeated, to his great chargrin, numerous times in his Firing Line debates — it didn't even take professional debators, like himself, to do it either. It was not all that hard to defeat the ideals of dour right-wingism.

But it does not surprise me that his right-wing, faux intellectual, "emperor without clothes" routine fooled the populace; look who they voted in as president the last two times — and this gumby can't even pretend to be intellectual.

Adam   February 27th, 2008 4:09 pm ET

VP - Thank you for displaying the unifying qualities that the Obama campaing touts so loudly.
Shame on You!

Bubba   February 27th, 2008 4:10 pm ET

Bayou Joe, you don't call three dollar a gallon gas "doing nothing about it?" Man, you don't work in the oilfields I guess. The oil companies just posted record profits! Companies owned by the Bush family have tripled in size during his tenure. You mean, 'what are they doing to help me?' Nothing, because you don't work for a big oil company. They know better than you, so keep voting for them, right buddy?

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