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In Memoriam
Tony Blankley: A Man in Full
A conservative in Washington who made a difference.
Tony Blankley was one of the kindest people I have ever known. I am sure he will be memorialized for his other unique qualities and for the impact he had on the nation’s political culture. He was wise, funny, and thoughtful. He was a gifted writer and political tactician whose contribution to America is enduring.
But above all, at least to me and when I met or dealt with him over the years, I remember Tony Blankley as a generous, kind person. When Tony became editor of the editorial page editor of the Washington Times my friend Ed Kutler — who worked with him for Speaker Newt Gingrich — sent him a note suggesting that I should write op-eds for him on a regular basis.
I received a letter from Tony inviting me to send ideas and article along as I saw fit. He added, “The pay per article isn’t great. Enough for some cheese and a glass of port. But maybe we can make difference.”
During his tenure at the Washington Times he encourage me to write about more than health care. I was able to write about Israel, popular culture, do book reviews, and even the unsigned editorials under the paper’s masthead. When we met I would try to thank him for the opportunity he had given me but he would have none of it and turn the conversation to politics or movies. I should have tried harder.
When he left the paper to become Senior Vice President at Edelman we stayed in touch. At one meeting he suggested that I should write more regularly and that The American Spectator — which at the time was building the online presence it has now — would be a great place to do so. When my son was in the Israeli Defense Forces he would ask about him and his well-being. Tony was a willing source of advice and gentle guidance. There are many more people he supported and kept in touch with in the same way.
He will and should be remembered for his two important books The West’s Last Chance: Will We Win the Clash of Civilizations and American Grit: What It Will Take to Survive and Win in the 21st Century. In the latter work he asserted a strong America was essential to human freedom and doing what we must to “protect and strengthen this providential nation” was more important than ideology. It was a theme and worldview that has influenced me greatly.
Because he was so much to the many people whose lives he touched, there will be as many ways to recall and pay tribute to Tony. Here’s mine: I saw him the past two summers at the Steamboat Institute freedom conference. When he wasn’t moderating panels he was strolling gracefully arm-in-arm with his wife Lynda under the cloudless Colorado skies. That is how I will always remember Tony Blankley.
About the Author
Robert M. Goldberg is vice president of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest and founder of Hands Off My H ealth, a grass roots health care empowerment network. His is new book, Tabloid Medicine: How the Internet is Being Used To Hijack Medical Science For Fear and Profit, was published last month by Kaplan.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (9) | Leave a comment
More Articles by Robert M. Goldberg
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VonMisesJr| 1.10.12 @ 7:32AM
I am a huge fan of Tony Blankley for his work and as Robert Goldberg mentions: for his kindness and humor.
I receive the Washington Times email blasts and never failed to read Tony's columns. He was inciteful and succinct. I commented to him on JWR a few times, and he usually found time to respond. He was very knowledgeable about Tocqueville, Burke and history of the era, and I found him engaging.
As we briefly discussed some disturbing current issues, he once replied that "if he had his wife and a park bench, he would be content." While his wife must be devastated with his loss, and I wish her and his children my condolences; she was very blessed to have had such a good man.
Chef Schnauzer| 1.10.12 @ 8:41AM
Mr. Blankley is an inspiration for his intellect and manner. He was debonair and commanded, individually, many of the qualities that made western civilization gleam. RIP
C. Vail| 1.10.12 @ 10:11AM
I wrote to Tony Blankley three, maybe four times over the past ten years, always in praise of one his columns. He always wrote back, and not with a perfunctory 'thank you,' but with a thoughtful, kind, considerate reply that told me my words had meant something to him. Even seeing Tony on TV it was easy to tell what kind of man he was: vastly knowledgeable, quick and smart as a whip, witty and funny, courteous almost to the point of courtliness. I feel awful. The world has lost a true gentleman.
VonMisesJr| 1.10.12 @ 11:37AM
I knew he was ill, and always greeted him with "hope this message finds you well." I also interacted with him about the same number of times.
He did not elaborate and never complained. The way men deal with adversity is an honor to them and their families.
Purp| 1.10.12 @ 1:36PM
He was a reasonable, respectful, and thoughtful conservative ... I might not agree with a lot of his positions on policy, but I respect the man's character. RIP Tony.
Skippy| 1.10.12 @ 4:02PM
I enjoyed him on Left, Right and Center.
His remarks, though concerning policies and events, always were grounded in unwavering principles.
Like many naturalized Americans, he appreciated this country in a way too many do not.
A rare man, and a blessing to have shared this earth with him.
Ave atque vale.
Margie| 1.10.12 @ 8:32PM
He was one very cool guy. I'm sorry he had to go from us so soon..
BackToBasics| 1.10.12 @ 8:37PM
I liked him and read his columns often. I saw him most on the McLaughlin Group. His kindness showed through there in that it was difficult for him to get heard. He wasn't pushy and he seemed like a good man to me. I wish such a good and conservative man could be president.
RJ| 1.11.12 @ 12:48AM
I really looked forward to reading his articles and hearing him on TV. The man was informed, truthful and wise in an era when there are too many who are uninformed and simply PR guys.
Tony left us many years too early and will be missed. Rest in Peace, Tony.