R.I.P. Jeane Kirkpatrick

With the passing of Jeane Kirkpatrick earlier today, the Nation lost one of its most accomplished public servants and skilled practitioners of the philosophy of "peace through strength." The Center for Security Policy mourns this loss at a time when her clarity of vision, steadfastness of purpose and tenacious commitment to principle are more needed than ever.

Amb. Kirkpatrick was a woman of great personal integrity, strength and conviction, a hero to her friends and a formidable nemesis to her country’s foes. In the international arena, she was distinguished by her acumen with respect to foreign policy, national security and the nature of dictatorships. She was convinced that the United States could and must prevail over the Soviet Union – not just for America’s sake but for that of the Free World more generally. She pursued this objective with remarkable tenacity and courage, most notably as a key member of President Ronald Reagan’s cabinet during her four years as U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations. In this capacity, she played a key role in developing and implementing the strategy that would eventually take down the Evil Empire.

In the domestic sphere, Dr. Kirkpatrick may be best remembered for coining the term "San Francisco Democrat" – an epithet of continuing relevance as the quintessential example of that character, Nancy Pelosi, is poised to become Speaker of the House of Representatives. A self-described "lifelong" Democrat, America’s ambassador eventually found herself unable to associate with what became that party’s guiding ideology, which she called "blame-America-first." Jeane Kirkpatrick’s example inspired millions of Americans to abandon party affiliations in support of robust national security policies and those, like President Reagan, who championed them.

Center President Frank J. Gaffney, Jr. observed on learning of Ms. Kirkpatrick’s passing:

I had the extraordinary privilege of studying under Jeane Kirkpatrick, working with her during the Reagan Administration and collaborating with her during subsequent years as a valued member of the Center for Security Policy’s National Security Advisory Council, a recipient of its Freedom Flame and a soul-mate in causes great and small. Like the freedoms she did so much to advance around the world, Jeane’s memory will remain a source of comfort to the oppressed and an inspiration to those who seek to liberate and empower them.

The Center joins with all the other champions of liberty in extending to her family our deepest condolences and profound thanks.