Buckley was a supreme exponent of his conservative views, but I believe his logic allowed him to stake out his own positions and grounds. He wasn't doctrinaire, rather he helped CREATE the doctrine.

Much of what he said, despite being from another political party, was perfectly agreeable.

He made conservatives AND liberals better by the quality of his debate. He had real class in the finest sense of that word. I don't recall the name of the bit of classical music that announced "Firing Line" but I always smile when I hear it in my mind.