Remembering Nofziger and Weinberger

Two giants of American politics and government -- both Republicans -- have died.

Here is how Lyn Nofziger described himself on his website. "If you're looking for a female exhibitionist with a digital camera you've come to the wrong place."

"I am a Californian, a World War II army veteran, a former newspaperman, a politician and the author of four published Western novels. ... I served in Ronald Reagan's governor's office and White House and in Richard Nixon's White House. I have run and participated in numerous political campaigns, including five for president, and have won some and lost some. Once I even worked at the Republican National Committee. I am a Republican because I believe that freedom is more important than government-provided security. Sometimes I wish I were a Democrat because Democrats seem to have more fun. At other times I wish I were a Libertarian because Republicans are too much like Democrats."

Darren Grubb, vice president of federal relations at Bryan Cave Strategies, tells us he met Nofsifger late in life, "though not early enough in mine."

Writes Grubb: "In all of time spent with Lyn, I always took away far more than I ever had capacity to reciprocate. His wisdom and insights into matters of politics and personalities and human relationships were of more than great interest to me, they were of great guidance."

"The most important lessons I learned from him were the one he exemplified every day, as those who knew him and worked with him can attest: never take yourself too seriously, never let the intoxicating whims of DC culture alter your convictions or inflate your self-importance, and always serve the greater good above your own self interests."

Reaction to the death of Caspar Weinberger comes from NY SEN candidate KT FcFarland, who worked for him: "Cap Weinberger was a giant of our times and one of the men on whose shoulders rested the defense of the free world. He was one of President Reagan's first and most steadfast supporters, and the man to whom President Reagan turned to rebuild America's military in the 1980's. As a result of his efforts, the United States was able to deal with the Soviet Union from a position of strength, which ultimately resulted in the collapse of the Soviet Empire, the defeat of Communism and America's victory in the Cold War -- all without firing a shot or losing one life."