End of an Era

A major figure in 20th century American political culture has died. William F. Buckley, Jr., godfather of the modern conservative movement and founder of National Review, was 82. We can expect abundant metaphors in the obituaries pointing out how Buckley's death coincides with the waning and, in some views, the collapse of the movement he helped usher into prominence and power. I interviewed him for the magazine a few years ago. He sure knew how to turn a phrase. My condolences to his family.