Letters to the Editor
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
‘Remembering William F. Buckley Jr.’
The one time I met William F. Buckley Jr. was when he asked me to be his “partner” at a speech he delivered some forty years ago at Queens College, CUNY [Oped, “Remembering William F. Buckley Jr.” February 28, 2008].
As a student journalist, I arrived at the pre-speech press conference organized by the Young Americans for Freedom Chapter and was treated to a tantalizing display of Mr. Buckley’s darting tongue, dancing eyebrows, and delightful loquaciousness.
The press conference ended and he paced up and down like a caged tiger. I said, “Relax! Everyone is pleased you are speaking.”
He replied, “I need your help. Please stand several steps behind me during my speech and when I take questions repeat them to me.”
I agreed and we walked on to the stage as the dozen or so YAF members in the front row motioned wildly for me to get off. At the conclusion of his remarks, an audience member fired an interrogative blast.
Mr. Buckley walked towards me and said, “What is the question,” which I repeated verbatim (it looked like he was consulting me). Back to the podium he fired the cannon.
I remember one question about Soviet-U.S. relations that was so lengthy I lost track. I said, “Just talk about the Cold War!” Mr. Buckley was brilliant, insightful, and witty, sprinkling one hundred dollar words throughout.
When the questions ended, we shook hands and he thanked me profusely. The YAF members left scratching their heads.
I wondered if our “partnership” was a function of a hearing disorder or a desire to buy time. Whatever the reason, I was very pleased to make his acquaintance.
JAY HERSHENSON
Senior Vice Chancellor
University Relations, CUNY
New York, N.Y.
Please address letters intended for publication to the Editor of The New York Sun. Letters may be sent by e-mail to editor@nysun.com, by facsimile to 212-608-7348, or post to 105 Chambers Street, New York City 10007. Please include a return address and daytime telephone number. Letters may be edited.
