Matthew Continetti has written an astonishing article for today’s National Review online. His article appears under the title “The Irreplaceable William F. Buckley Jr.,” but the dominant thrust of the piece is that Buckley’s conservatism can no longer guide the contemporary right. Continetti writes in reply to George Will, who bemoaned the vulgarian populists who have hijacked conservatism. Will called for a return to the “ebullience, decency, and enthusiasm for learning” displayed by Buckley. Will blamed Whittaker Chambers for the populism he deplored. Continetti defends Chambers, holding him to have been a moderating influence on Buckley. “Throughout their correspondence, collected … Continue reading Dropping the Pilot