So Long, Senator Helms

When I was coming of age in politics back in the early 70s while working with William F. Buckley Jr.'s 'Young Americans for Freedom,' Jessie Helms of North Carolina was quickly becoming an icon in Southern conservative politics.

For years Helms had provided conservative commentary on television through Raleigh's WRAL-TV and on the statewide farmer's network.

And thus, by the time he ran for the Senate in 1972 he was a household name throughout North Carolina. His victory that year would be the first is a series of consecutive Senate races that Helms won. He retired from the Senate in 2002 having never lost an election.

As with William F. Buckley and Young Americans for Freedom, Helms was instrumental in getting Ronald Reagan elected to the White House in 1980 and again in 1984. And like Reagan, Helms was famous for tagging his opponents with the dreaded 'L' world, and once you were tagged as a 'Liberal' you were sunk.

Of course, the Democrats at the time gave Reagan and Helms plenty of good reason to regard their opponents with such contempt. This was the era of George McGovern, Jimmy Carter, Walter Mondale, and local Democrats such as Jim Hunt.

Once Helms labeled his 1984 Senatorial opponent Jim Hunt as a 'Mondale liberal,' the race was all over.

Helms achieved the status of being known as 'Senator No' in the Senate due to his fierce opposition to government spending and new federal programs. He often single-handedly blocked legislation in the face of a Democrat steam-roller and at times even flew in the face of some of his Republican colleagues...even President Reagan himself.

This kind of steadfast, principled leadership on governmental restraint is sorely lacking in both Parties on Capitol Hill today.

It should also not be forgotten that Helms was a fierce advocate for building up the nation's defense after four years under Jimmy Carter during which our military suffered from a shocking lack of attention and funding.

Though many would dispute or ignore Helm's impact on politics, there is no doubt that he was the most powerful Southern Senator and at one time one of the most powerful men in government, under Ronald Reagan. His leadership helped usher in a 25 year era of conservative politics which stemmed the tide of the creeping crawl of statism.

Senator Jessie Helms of Monroe, North Carolina, died this week at the age of 86. A lifelong Baptist, Helms was a member of the prestigious Hayes-Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh. It is there that his funeral will be held today.

I fear that we shall not see his kind ever again. So long, Senator Helms...

For more information on Senator Jessie Helms, click on the links below:

Senator Dole Remembers Helms as Genteel, Generous

Defiant Helms Drove the South's GOP