An NRO reader rightly points out that in 1970 James Buckley triumphed in the general election over lefty Republican Charles Godell (and liberal Democrat Congressman Dick Ottinger), not Jacob Javits — he was bumped off in the 1980 NY GOP primary by Al D’Amato (in another three-way November slugfest, Javits appeared on the Liberal Party line, and siphoned enough votes from Dem Liz Holtzman to ensure D’Amato a squeaker win). I’d like to blame my error on the fact that Buckley and D’Amato look alike, and are so alike in demeanor, but I don’t think anyone, even juiced up on Thunderbird, would believe that. It’s impossible to confuse the Sainted Senator with Senator Pothole. Mea culpa.
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About the Author
Jack Fowler is a contributing editor at National Review and a senior philanthropy consultant at American Philanthropic.
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