W.H. Chellis

In 1965 the Conservative Party was looking for a candidate to run for Mayor of New York City. The Republican’s were running the ultra-liberal “Silk Stocking” district Congressman John Lindsey and the Democrats were rallying to the banner of Abraham Beame.

What a candidate they found! On June 24th William F. Buckley, Jr. announced his candidacy for Mayor of New York. He would seek the nomination of the Conservative Party.

Buckley declared:

“I am a Republican. And I intend, for so long as I find it possible to do so– which is into the visible future– to remain a Republican. I seek the honorable designation of the Conservative Party, because the Republican designation is not, in New York, available nowadays to anyone in the mainstream of Republican opinion.”

What followed is New York political legend. A heroic campaign of ideas waged by a man of authentic thoughtfulness. No glad-handing. No false familiarity. No kissing babies. When asked if he planned to “campaign”, Buckley said, “No, I will not, primarily because I don’t have time. I will spend what time I have to develop as carefully and responsibly as I can those positions that I want to project and will project them wherever opportunity lies.”

When ask what the first thing he would do if elected mayor, Buckley famously replied, “ask for a recount.” He had nothing to worry about. Lindsey was elected Mayor.

Still, the Buckley campaign helped give life to the Conservative Party. He gave NY Conservatives a vision of what could be and what they should work toward. Would that the Conservative Party could find such a candidate, and wage such a campaign, again.

Date: Feb 28th, 2008 · Comments RSS · Tags: Conservatism