Irving Kristol, the Godfather of the Neo Cons
Herbert London • September 23, 2009 • Uncategorized
Democracy Project President Herbert London wrote the following piece in memory of his friend and mentor, Irving Kristol, who passed away September 18 at the age of 89.
As the godfather of the neoconservatives, Irving Kristol had many children: those he inspired and the many who viewed him as a model. I was one of those children who benefited in so many ways from my surrogate father.
There are many who will refer admiringly to Irving’s insights, his organizational talents, and his remarkable good will. But it would be a mistake to overlook his benignity and wit.
At a meeting I attended in New York, one of Irving’s critics attacked him unmercifully. I was outraged and proceeded to confront his detractor. However, Irving merely shook his head and said, “Does anyone care what he says?”
On another occasion Irving and I were invited to dinner at the home of NYU president, John Brademas. During the cocktail hour we lamented the very few conservatives on the NYU campus. President Brademas overhearing these comments noted that the claim was “foolish.” “After all, what are the two of you doing here?” Without skipping a beat, Irving said, “Herb London and I do not constitute a minyan.” I laughed, but Brademas had a thoroughly baffled look on his face.
There will be many well deserved tributes for Irving. He was an American original who sharpened his argumentative skills in the corridors of City College and went on to be the eminence grise of neo cons and many plain vanilla conservatives as well. Irving had a gift for the bon mot perhaps best known for his description of a neo con as “a liberal mugged by reality.”
Among his many remarkable traits was this devotion to the equally exceptional Bea Kristol (ne Gertrude Himmelfarb). I can recall lunches at the Madison Hotel and the Watergate when Irving would leave clutching Bea’s hand, always the gentleman and the devoted husband. Irving also took great pride in the accomplishments of his son, Bill and daughter, Elizabeth. Whenever I asked about them, he would be filled with pride as he responded.
There were several times, faced with intractable dilemmas, that I called on Irving for guidance. As you might guess, he would always offer sound advice which added with the words, “This too will pass.”
At a dinner in 1985 I hosted, my colleague Isaac Bashevis Singer and his wife joined Irving and Bea. The stories flowed as if a Niagara of imaginative ideas. They had much in common including a strong spiritual sense, anti-communist impulses, and a zest for life. I felt as if I was caught in an intellectual tennis match as the ball crossed the net with vexing speed and spin. Kierkegaard and Schopenhauer were references along with Niebuhr and Adam Smith. Singer was playful, Irving earnest. When Isaac left that evening he said, “That Irving Kristol is a real mensch.”
Yes, that said it all. Irving was the mensch of menschs. I invariably was uplifted by being in his company. In fact, I feel privileged to have known and befriended Irving.
Another of my friends who recently passed this mortal coil, Jack Kemp, once told me his political odyssey from football player to policy guru began with and was largely due to Irving Kristol. There were many who were swayed by Irving’s gentle, but persuasive influence.
Irving was a force. From his perch at Encounter to the Public Interest, Irving shaped public opinion. He didn’t have battalions marching behind him, but his platoons of extraordinary people made a difference. He was and always will be my general. And even if I can no longer hear his voice, I will remember his admonitions.
My hope is that one day I will be remembered as a man somewhat like Irving Kristol. Now that is a tribute I and any other serious analyst I know would most definitely welcome.
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