Readers: Conservative icon Buckley respected for class, wit

(CNN) -- The death of National Review founder and conservative commentator William F. Buckley Jr., 82, Wednesday in Stamford, Connecticut, drew responses from CNN.com readers running the gamut of political philosophies. Many recalled seeing him speak on TV and reading about his love of sailing, and said they will miss his presence in the world.

Readers overwhelmingly said they would remember him as a great conservative thinker who argued his points straightforwardly and with great wit, regardless of whether or not they agreed with his viewpoints. Both staunch supporters of Buckley's philosophies and others who said they completely opposed his beliefs seemed to agree that he was a man with class.

Following is a selection of the responses that were received, some of which have been edited for length and clarity.

Joe Cerniglia of Quincy, Massachusetts
While an undergraduate at Dartmouth in 1988, I recall attending a speech by William F. Buckley Jr. His lightning intellect had all of us using every ounce of ours just to stay afloat. But I also remember that night he told a very simple story about how moved he had been by a private act of generosity he had experienced as a young person.

While in a small shop, a favorite aunt had seen his interest in some small, though probably not inexpensive, item and had bought this item for him, quietly and without any reason or occasion other than that he had seemed to want it. He then went on to draw parallels with conservatism and how its generosity was often inconspicuous but nonetheless real. He was a great teacher and exemplar of ideas and ideals who will be greatly missed by people of all brands of political thought.

Mike Aylward of Alameda, California
I grew up with William F. Buckley Jr. as a surrogate father. Firing Line on TV (in our house, PBS was the "4th network"), National Reviews on seemingly every flat surface and regurgitation of his opinions/beliefs by my dad. I even recall a hilarious National Review "pinup" poster that I might even still have in the dark recesses of a closet somewhere. I'm a "dyed-in-the-wool" liberal, as my father would say, often with some disdain, and as I approach age 39, I don't see that changing anytime soon.

Yet Bill Buckley will always have a place in my heart and mind. I consider his voice to be an anchor, one that I didn't often agree with, but one that I nonetheless respected. Even if I disagreed, I respected his opinion, and I could trust that he was really saying what he believed, not simply what his audience wanted to hear.

His conservatism was not political, but philosophical. For him, it never seemed like a game, or a sport. As such, he always seemed much more genuine than the supposed "acolytes" who espouse to be his conservative heirs. ... Long live John McLaughlin!

Victoria Pierce of Chatsworth, California
My first memory of Mr. Buckley was at the age of 10 or 11, when Firing Line was new. I would sit in front of the television with a dictionary in my lap and try to look up all the words he used that I didn't know what they meant. A daunting task for most anyone, and impossible for a child, but I loved hearing him speak and just wanted to know what he was talking about. I never lost that love for his words and was blessed with a chance to see him live in the early '90s. I will miss him.

J. Landry of Jacksonville, Florida
Although I have little use for his philosophy, Buckley made one of the funniest political comments I have ever heard. When running for mayor of New York City, he was asked, the night of the election: What's the first thing you would do if you woke the next morning and found you'd been elected mayor? His imperious reply: "I would demand a recount!" His great sense of humor was his saving grace.

John Brennus of Knoxville, Tennessee
Many of us were not yet out of our teens and seemingly surrounded by liberal commentary and bias when Buckley came to our rescue with his insight. I remember studying his retorts to the liberal line of the day so I would be ready for verbal battle with the sea of liberal drones. As far as humans are capable, he was a good man and quite unique to his generation.

Bruce Collins of New York
I consider myself a progressive, but while in college I would arm myself with a dictionary and watch Firing Line religiously. I had Galbraith and Buckley on the same bookshelf. Bill taught me how to think better, how to rigorously address an issue and to intelligently articulate an opinion. I have missed his wit and intelligence, but my experience of him will remain within me forever. My deepest condolences to everyone who knew him and experienced his great intellect and compassion.

Lynnette Dubois of Toronto, Ontario
He carried his beliefs as a legacy. I disagreed with every notion he presented, but the spirit of belief he shared was mine. The world is a poorer place for the loss of this unique and vibrant voice! Be at peace, William.

Kathrine Eisenhauer Hernandez of Scarsdale, New York
I watched Firing Line for years. I loved that show, it was so informative and it gave me a very good understanding of the issues of the day. I have many of Mr. Buckley's books, I always enjoyed his writing. I found his books to be most interesting. I met him once at a book signing. He was a very nice, kind and considerate gentleman, who we will never see the likes of again.

Ross Alander of Tampa, Florida
[Bill] O'Reilly, Rush [Limbaugh], [Bill Cunningham], [James] Dobson, [Ann] Coulter and others could learn a lot from this very classy and professional conservative. Mr. Buckley was a real conservative, unlike those mean-spirited blabbermouths out there now.

Samuel Harris of Auburn, Alabama
I usually watched Mr. Buckley every Friday night in Auburn on "Firing Line." I love his Friday night show because of the power of ideas and intellectual capacity that was presented. Plus, several times he would have debates on different issues. Regrets on hearing about the death of Mr. Buckley to his family.

Robert Doucet of Redmond, Oregon
Grew up on Mr. Buckley and respected him greatly, even though I am a radical leftist. The guy just had CLASS, and that made all the difference.

Steve Kowalewski of Manassas, Virginia
Mr. Buckley's passing is a major loss. I will always remember the enjoyment of reading his book a long time ago called [Atlantic High]. It was an interesting adventure that Mr. Buckley wrote about which included some pictures of the sailboat involved. Most people can only dream of an adventure as such. I wish I could find the book and read it again. I am pleased that he provided me will several hours of reading pleasure. Thanks, Mr Buckley. I will always remember you.

Bernard Moore of Hanover, New Hampshire
I think Buckley's interview of a drunk Jack Kerouac is a classic of TV journalism. He asked Kerouac to compare the Beat movement to the Hippies, and Kerouac ranted about what had gone wrong. Allen Ginsberg was in the audience for the interview.

William Battersby of Tuckerton, New Jersey
I have been a fan of Bill Buckley for more than 30 years, and I've read "Atlantic High." The lightness of his writing style, dry wit and unbelievable vocabulary hooked me instantly. I have an incredible library of his works. Funny thing is, I just quoted a "Buckley-ism" over coffee with a colleague this morning. Now to learn of his passing, it haunts me. Rest in peace, brother Bill.

Vikash Khanna of Millwood, New York
Mr. Buckley was my hero, and he had cordially invited me to his home in Connecticut. This is one of the saddest days ever for me, but I know he is in a happier place, reunited with his wife and all those dear to him who left us yesteryear.

Michael Noonan of New Orleans, Louisiana
I loved Bill Buckley. I once wrote him, with temerity, that I thoroughly enjoyed his book on sailing. A month later I got a letter typed on his beloved Smith Corona, to wit: "Dear Mr. Noonan, I've received a lot of response to my book, both pro and con. Yours I treasure the most." My Lord, did I treasure you, Mr. Buckley.

Barbara Kittle of Archer, Florida
I never had the privilege of meeting Mr. Buckley Jr., but one of my dreams I wish would have come true was to meet him and spend an afternoon sailing with him and listening to him talk on any subject he had on his mind. He was a colossus. E-mail to a friend

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