Margo D.B. Carlisle, R.I.P.

The Center for Security Policy Tuesday night lost one of the longest-serving members of its Board of Directors and a dear friend – and the Nation lost one of its most accomplished public servants – with the passing of Margo D.B. Carlisle. While Mrs. Carlisle’s lengthy career in Washington involved positions of great responsibility, they were largely out of the public eye. Throughout, she wielded enormous influence and contributed greatly to the commonweal, most especially in the security policy portfolio.

Particularly noteworthy was Mrs. Carlisle’s role in various staff capacities in the United States Senate. These included: her tenure as Executive Director of the Senate Steering Committee under its then-Chairman, Senator James McClure, and as Director of the Senate Republican Conference and Chief of Staff to Senator Thad Cochran. She also served in numerous non-profit capacities, including as Executive Director of the Council for National Policy, Vice President of Government Relations at the Heritage Foundation, as well as a director of the Center for Security Policy.

Margo also distinguished herself as a senior official in President Reagan’s administration. She was the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs under then-Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger, whose own lamentable passing occurred on Tuesday, as well. Like her boss, Mrs. Carlisle played an instrumental role in translating President Reagan’s philosophy of "peace through strength" into the revitalization of America’s armed forces and the destruction of the Soviet Union.

Center President Frank J. Gaffney, Jr. observed:

There is a certain cosmic symmetry to the fact that Margo Carlisle passed away on the same day as Cap Weinberger, a man she served with great distinction. After all, they were both authentic "class acts" – people whose conduct, in and out of office, bespoke the highest personal integrity, commitment to principle, tenacious advocacy of their causes and unfailing grace, particularly under fire.

Margo will be sorely missed by the Center for Security Policy family for her wise counsel, shrewd sense of tactics and strategy and generous friendship. Her self-deprecating and sardonic humor, her deep knowledge of the ways of Washington and her determination always to safeguard and advance America’s national interests have long been an inspiration. We will always remember these qualities fondly and cherish both them and the formidable woman in whom they found such marvelous expression.