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The Associated Press

Buckley founded National Review.

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William F. Buckley Jr. is dead: Was the father of modern American conservatism

New York Times

William F. Buckley Jr. is dead at 82. He was one of the founders of modern American conservatism -- writing "God and Man at Yale" and starting National Review magazine during the 1950s. He was also known as the host of PBS' "Firing Line," a show where conservatives and liberals debated without screaming at each other.

Ben likes: Saying goodbye

Jonah Goldberg/National Review Online

William F. Buckley's life was marked by enormous joy. He had a lust for life as well as for letters and debate. He raised a wonderful and accomplished son, loved and was loved by a formidable and beautiful wife, had more friends than he could count — or, in a sense, even know — and will be remembered for generations to come. Sadness is to be expected at times like this, and I certainly feel it. But let's leave room for, if not a celebration, then at least grateful appreciation, of a singularly remarkable life.

Joel likes: Buckley: The right's practical intellectual

E.J. Dionne/The Washington Post

Buckley was determined to rid the right of the wing nuts. He was, to his everlasting credit, the scourge of an anti-Semitism that once had a hold on significant parts of the right. He also blasted the strange conspiracy theories of the John Birch Society. But most important were Buckley's efforts during the 1950s to resolve conservatism's contradictions. These exertions made it possible for Barry Goldwater and then Ronald Reagan to turn the remnant into a mighty political force.

If liberals are to exercise power again, they need to come to terms with Buckley's genius in understanding how ideas interact with the day-to-day needs of politics. Buckley was more intellectual than most practical politicians, and more practical than most intellectuals.

My main criticism of Buckley is that he was far too effective on behalf of a movement that I think should be driven from power. And if you read that as a compliment, you're right.