Daniel Patrick Moynihan
In the cloud of war news, I'd like to pause for a moment to note the passing of one of the most influential men in America over the last half of the 20th Century. Daniel Patrick Moynihan is dead.
It is difficult to describe the influence and importance of this man to shaping American public policy over the last few decades. Michael Barone said he was "the nation's best thinker among politicians since Lincoln and its best politician among thinkers since Jefferson." That's pretty hard to argue with.
There were those who didn't like him, of course. That's politics. But he was, truly, a giant.
* Update * Kaus has a eulogy for Moynihan that's worth reading.
Once upon a time, nearly 30 years ago, I delivered a load of lumber and building supplies to Daniel Patrick Moynahans little farm outside of Walton, New York.
He helped me unload, and, when we were done, we sat on the porch drinking icy cold lemonade and talking about the sort of thing men talk about in such circumstances.
He was a regular guy.
I didn't always agree with him but I thought of him as the type of politian that did what he thought was right not just popular. It is a sad day for many I'm sure.
He was truly a good guy.
"If the Democrats find someone as tough on foreign policy and as creative on domestic programs, they can have the White House again. The message is there in [Moynihan's] speeches and writings, and like all good thought it still pertains."
Geo Beach, remembering D.P. Moynihan
Daniel Moynihan arrive in the Senate when America debated nuclear weapons, detente, and America's role in the World. He left the United States Senate when politicians arguued relatively unimportant issues such as prescription drug benefits and the meaning of "sex." Perhaps the new United States Senate was simply beneath him.