In the same vein as MSNBC's Chris Matthews, liberal Chicago Tribune blogger Eric Zorn paid tribute to the late Bill Buckley in a February 27 blog post by noting that he idolized the National Review founder when in junior high:
He was one of my idols when I was in junior high. I found his patrician bearing, devastating eloquence and understated, scornful wit thoroughly captivating. His quiet confidence and penetrating intellect were exactly what I aspired to, and it probably helped that very few other kids in the liberal bastion of Ann Arbor were allowed even to utter the man's name in their houses.
My romance with his political outlook was shortlived, though I always found him curious, fair, funny, occasionally surprising and about as open-minded and truly engaging as pundits get. If he was ever a shouter or a name-caller or a race baiter or a taunter, I missed it.
I stopped idolizing him, but I never stopped respecting him or feeling that he set a good example for public discourse. From the left, then, a heartfelt salute and fond farewell.















Editor at Large

Comments Policy
WFB pasing Brings out the best even in liberals
February 28, 2008 - 08:59 ET by ballwana13I am touched by the nice tribute by this liberal blogger. Thoughtful and even showing some heart. What is really missing for me from this piece is what turned a thoughtful person reading the National Review, having some deep respect for William F. Buckley yet at some point this guy turned left. I am at a loss to understand with the strong foundation from NR how this guy turned left and stayed there.
It's impossible to say for sure
February 28, 2008 - 09:08 ET by sarcasmoUnless you're Chris Matthews or Eric Zorn, but maybe it has to do with words vs actions. Conservatives have, for decades, talked a much better game on smaller government than they've voted/legislated. Young people tend to be drawn to intellectual consistency. The lefties may want bigger government, but at least they're consistent about advocating it.
JMR
A corruption-story the TV media will-not cover.