BY WHITNEY WOODWARD and DAVID ESPO
RALEIGH, N.C.
Former Sen. Jesse Helms, who built a career along the fault lines of racial politics and battled liberals, Communists and the occasional fellow Republican during 30 conservative years in Congress, died on the Fourth of July. He was 86.
"It's just incredible that he would die on July 4, the same day of the Declaration of Independence and the same day that Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died, and he certainly is a patriot in the mold of those great men," said former North Carolina GOP Rep. Bill Cobey, the chairman of The Jesse Helms Center at Wingate University.
Helms died at 1:15 a.m, the center said. He died in Raleigh of natural causes, said former chief of staff Jimmy Broughton.
"He was very comfortable," Broughton said.
Funeral arrangements were pending, the Helms center said.
"America lost a great public servant and true patriot today," White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said few senators could match Helms' reputation.
"Today we lost a Senator whose stature in Congress had few equals. Senator Jesse Helms was a leading voice and courageous champion for the many causes he believed in," McConnell said in a statement.
Helms, who first became known to North Carolina voters as a newspaper and television commentator, won election to the Senate in 1972 and decided not to run for a sixth term in 2002.
"Compromise, hell! ... If freedom is right and tyranny is wrong, why should those who believe in freedom treat it as if it were a roll of bologna to be bartered a slice at a time?" Helms wrote in a 1959 editorial that foretold his political style.
As he aged, Helms was slowed by a variety of illnesses, including a bone disorder, prostate cancer and heart problems, and he made his way through the Capitol on a motorized scooter as his career neared an end. In April 2006, his family announced he had been moved into a convalescent center after being diagnosed with vascular dementia, in which repeated minor strokes damage the brain.
Helms' public appearances had dwindled as his health deteriorated. When his memoirs were published in August 2005, he appeared at a Raleigh book store to sign copies, but did not make a speech.
In an e-mail interview with The Associated Press at that time, Helms said he hoped what future generations learn about him "will be based on the truth and not the deliberate inaccuracies those who disagreed with me took such delight in repeating."
"My legacy will be up to others to describe," he added.
Helms served as chairman of the Agriculture Committee and Foreign Relations Committees over the years at times when the GOP held the Senate majority, using his posts to protect his state's tobacco growers and other farmers and place his stamp on foreign policy.
His opposition to Communism defined his foreign policy views. He took a dim view of many arms control treaties, opposed Fidel Castro at every turn, and supported the contras in Nicaragua as well as the right-wing government of El Salvador. He opposed the Panama Canal treaties that then-President Carter pushed through a reluctant Senate in 1977.
Early on, his habit of blocking nominations and legislation won him a nickname of "Senator No." He delighted in forcing roll-call votes that required Democrats to take politically difficult votes on federal funding for art he deemed pornographic, school busing, flag-burning and other cultural issues.
In 1993, when then-President Clinton sought confirmation for an openly homosexual assistant secretary at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Helms registered his disgust. "I'm not going to put a lesbian in a position like that," he said in a newspaper interview at the time. "If you want to call me a bigot, fine."
After Democrats killed the appointment of U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle, a former Helms aide, to a federal appeals court post in 1991, Helms blocked all of Clinton's judicial nominations from North Carolina for eight years. Helms occasionally opted for compromise in later years in the Senate, working with Democrats on legislation to restructure the foreign policy bureaucracy and pay back debts to the United Nations, an organization be disdained for most of his career.
And he softened his views on AIDS after years of clashes with gay activists, advocating greater federal funding to fight the disease in Africa and elsewhere overseas.
But in his memoirs, Helms made clear that his opinions on other issues had hardly moderated since he left office. He likened abortion to the Holocaust and the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
"I will never be silent about the death of those who cannot speak for themselves," he wrote in "Here's Where I Stand."
Helms never lost a race for the Senate, but he never won one by much, either, a reflection of his divisive political profile in his native state.
He knew it, too. "Well, there is no joy in Mudville tonight. The mighty ultraliberal establishment, and the liberal politicians and editors and commentators and columnists have struck out again," he said in 1990 after winning his fourth term.
He won the 1972 election after switching parties, and defeated then-Gov. Jim Hunt in an epic battle in 1984 in what was then the costliest Senate race on record.
He defeated black former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt in 1990 and 1996 in racially tinged campaigns. In the first race, a Helms commercial showed a white fist crumbling up a job application, these words underneath: "You needed that job ... but they had to give it to a minority."
"The tension that he creates, the fear he creates in people, is how he's won campaigns," Gantt said several years later.
Helms also played a role in national GOP politics - supporting Ronald Reagan in 1976 in a presidential primary challenge to then-President Ford. Reagan's candidacy was near collapse when it came time for the North Carolina primary. Helms was in charge of the effort, and Reagan won a startling upset that resurrected his challenge.
"It's not saying too much to say that had Senator Helms not put his weight and his political organization behind Ronald Reagan so that he was able to win North Carolina, there may have never been a Reagan presidency," Cobey said. "Most people feel like there would have never been a President Reagan had it not been for Jesse Helms."
During the 1990s, Helms clashed frequently with Clinton, whom he deemed unqualified to be commander in chief. Even some Republicans cringed when Helms said Clinton was so unpopular he would need a bodyguard on North Carolina military bases. Helms said he hadn't meant it as a threat.
Asked to gauge Clinton's performance overall, Helms said in 1995: "He's a nice guy. He's very pleasant. But ... (as) Ronald Reagan used to say about another politician, `Deep down, he's shallow.'"
Helms went out of his way to establish good relations with Madeleine Albright, Clinton's second secretary of state. But that didn't stop him from single-handedly blocking Clinton's appointment of William Weld - a Republican - as ambassador to Mexico.
Helms clashed with other Republicans over the years, including fellow Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana in 1987, after Democrats had won a Senate majority. Helms had promised in his 1984 campaign not to take the chairmanship of the Foreign Relations Committee, but he invoked seniority over Lugar to claim the seat as the panel's ranking Republican.
He was unafraid of inconveniencing his fellow senators - sometimes all of them at once. "I did not come to Washington to win a popularity contest," he once said while holding the Senate in session with a filibuster that delayed the beginning of a Christmas break. And he once objected to a request by phoning in his dissent from home, where he was watching Senate proceedings on television.
Helms was born in Monroe, N.C., on Oct. 18, 1921. He attended Wake Forest College in 1941 but never graduated and was in the Navy during World War II.
In many ways, Helms' values were forged in the small town where his father was police chief.
"I shall always remember the shady streets, the quiet Sundays, the cotton wagons, the Fourth of July parades, the New Year's Eve firecrackers. I shall never forget the stream of school kids marching uptown to place flowers on the Courthouse Square monument on Confederate Memorial Day," Helms wrote in a newspaper column in 1956.
He took an active role in North Carolina politics early on, working to elect a segregationist candidate, Willis Smith, to the Senate in 1950. He worked as Smith's top staff aide for a time, then returned to Raleigh as executive director of the state bankers association.
Helms became a member of the Raleigh city council in 1957 and got his first public platform for espousing his conservative views when he became a television editorialist for WRAL in Raleigh in 1960. He also wrote a column that at one time was carried in 200 newspapers. Helms also was city editor at The Raleigh Times.
Helms and his wife, Dorothy, had two daughters and a son. They adopted the boy in 1962 after the child, 9 years old and suffering from cerebral palsy, said in a newspaper article that he wanted parents.
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Simple Simon
We now know who the VP watchdog is...it's really "Simple" to figure out! Thanks for your thoughtful critique Simon!
Holey Guacamoley
Get a grip people. Even on a forum I frequent that most of the MSM consider to be a far rightwing place the level of vitriol about the illness of Sen. Kennedy NEVER reached the utter vile filth I have seen here in regard to the passing of Sen. Helms.
As to all of you whining about censhorship or freedom of speech over the VP deleting your comments, remember something, and remember it well --- this is the property of the VP and their house their rules is the rule o the day. It's not the government doing it, although the VP supports more government intrusion in our lives, I'm sure they would be the first to protest and government interference with their publishing policies (and rightly so)
Simple Simon
(George,
If the newspaper is out to get you, why do they post your ranting at all? And if they have singled you out for unfair censorship, why don't you post somewhere else?)
Well, Simple it's like this. First off I wasn't singled out, if you knew what you were talking about many comments were pulled yesterday. Second of all, as long as I have freedom of speech I'll add my two cents, whenever, where ever and however I choose. Please do the same!
Thought police at it again
Pilot staffers: So how is life back in Victorian England? Why not join us here in the 21st century?
Oh yeah...
I meant to mention in my last post, I think it should be freedom of speech georges...not freedom of the press. We all know the VP wouldn't stand for someone violating their "freedom of the press"...yet they want to violate our freedom of speech.
I was surprised to see that these last few have made it for this long!
breal4real
Yesterday I received an email from the Pilot watchdog, Fred. All it did was state the guidelines, which I already know, but if "violations continue you can be refused access and your account canceled". It wasn't aimed at me, but everyone. Quite frankly it didn't make any sense. I agree with you the Pilot will pull whatever they want to at any time they want do and positing violations don't have anything to do with it.
Let's hear it for "Freedom if the Press"
This one will probably be pulled.
Freedom Of Press?
I was wondering the same thing georges. Time after time, and alot here lately, I have noticed several comments up...then a few hours later, they are gone. Thing about it is most are not breaking any of the guidelines set forth by the VP. They just seem to be against the opinion of whoever the editor is at the time. Also, you've got to love the stories in which they won't allow comments. Or the ones in which they've disabled comments "due to several violations of VP's guidelines". Obviously just a tactic used when they don't like the overall response. If the comment is breaking the guidelines...don't post it editor. Or just do what you do with the several other comments that "magically" disappear...pull it. You've shown that you have the capability, so there should never be a reason to disable comments.
(Yawn)
Good heavens. Whenever Republican racism/sexism/homophobia is brought out, invariably the pablum-eaters trot out Robert Byrd and his history with the KKK. For goodness' sake people, Byrd left the Klan decades ago..... decades. He has denounced the Klan multiple times. If that's all you've got, please step to the right so the educated, and those who want to become educated, can pass. You may continue to eat my dust.
rusty
I thought I told you to go fly Old Glory. May I also suggest a reading of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. You seem to need a refresher on why we celebrate.
Tell Sonny Bono I said
Tell Sonny Bono I said "hello".
Food for thought...
"I stand by the truth of time that most liberals do not believe in God or His teaching. Yes, THEY say there is a God, but not the same One I believe in."
Why have freedom of religion then? I'm Wiccan. Does that make me evil? Do you therefore assume that I am a liberal? To be quite frank with all of you, neither the right nor the left are what's best for the country. Both sides are equally vindictive and unethical in their dealings. It's time to let all these party alliances go. All these short sighted people have cost us a great deal.
I respect our differences, but don't think for a moment that you are any better than I...
EVIL........
the only way to truly describe him.
Agreed
Apparently, Mr. pd by gov handouts 40393 took exception to my rebuttal. Freedom of speech is, in fact, being taken away from ALL of us, Far Left, Far Right, and in between. I'm sorry you took offense to my mocking of you calling me "rusted". Some people just can't take a little humor to offset the seriousness of today's issues. Here's to hoping we ALL start leaning the "Right" way soon. because the living can defend themselves. You, as part of the liberal way of thinking, would rather "kick them while they're down. Please take a breath now, we don't want to lose your banter!
wikipedia?
This article is practically a reprint of the wikipedia article on him.
Jesse Helms
The old guard is finally getting smaller and smaller.............
Must be a new pilot watchdog
Ther must be a new Pilot watchdog working today, many are college students. I have seen comment after commnet being pulled. That's what the pilot calls freedom of the press.
Robert Byrd
Can't stand him and never did.
Hey george!....
since you bought in the sheets comment, please tell us how you feel about robert byrd.....stop dodging
Sorry John Milk Duds-I mean Candy
I hate to interrupt your train of thought since you're on a roll, but if you refer back to my first comment, I SHOW RESPECT for the deceased, no matter if they're friend or foe. I may not agree with Ted or how he got away with letting Mary Jo drown, but I would certainly show respect when illness or death occurs. Unfortunately, this is not the case with most posters here today as anyone can plainly see by the comments. But I'm sure one of you will turn and twist these comments into something admireable, rather than the same pathetic liberal venom we hear all the time. Oh, by the way, I may have grey hair, but I'm NOT RUSTED!
He Said It...
From Rustidad: "I stand by the truth of time that most liberals do not believe in God or His teaching. Yes, THEY say there is a God, but not the same One I believe in. Maybe that's why the militant muslims want to see America under the control of liberals." I seem to remember a line from a certain movie that said "stupid is as stupid does". Well replace "stupid" with "hatred" and you get the comment above. It is obvious you hate many citizens of this country and have bought into the Rush L./Bill O./Sean H/ style of thinking. And you know that is your right. It does not make you right, but it is your right. But to condemn and insult millions of people because a few (whom you assume are liberal) speak out about the death of a very controversial figure, is not a very Godly thing to do. It makes your comments no better (if not worse, as you slight millions living and dead)than the commentary you bemoan.
Jesse Helms
Jesse Helms protected his home state's economic interests better than any other senator, which probably explains his longevity better than does his side shows. Even those who voted for him knew he could be a little bit hard on gays, as if the only ones he had ever known were prototypes of Robert Mapplethorpe or hell bent to organize a gay pride parade. Regarding his opposition to the Martin Luther King Holiday...Helms only alluded to his communist sympathies. He was either too polite, naive, or just politically expedient to bring up what a womanizing, roving agitator King was, with his continuous subtext of "it's going to be my way of 'nonviolence' or more black violence in your community." You still hear echoes of this in occasional chants of "no justice, no peace" or, by displacement, in the skyrocketing rates of black-on-white crime. (So much for the wishful thinking of liberal media a
Good Riddance
to Mr. Helms and his race-baiting, divisive style of politics.
Ignorance
Liberal ignorance sure is shining on this 4th of July. You assume that I'm am on the right and that I am a woman ("bimbo"). I am neither. Mr. Fab, you mistake respect for liberal hate attack, a common occurence these days. Wouldn't you agree "Premier Fab"? And not believing in God and His Will IS NOT saying "Godless" or without God. I stand by the truth of time that most liberals do not believe in God or His teaching. Yes, THEY say there is a God, but not the same One I believe in. Maybe that's why the militant muslims want to see America under the control of liberals. Opps, that's not politically correct. I mean the civil liberty challenged religious fanatics that I have posters of in my room!!!!!
far be it from me
Far be it from me to speak against a man who could only vehemently bash every Democrat he came in contact with. Gee, what a guy! All of NC must be feeling a terrible loss. Sorry, it just didn't extend to my household.
I agree with you rustidad...
they always seem to forget their poster-child robert KKK byrd....the admitted klan member....come on george give some history on mr. byrd..
rustidad
Tolerance, sir, tolerance. All viewpoints are welcome here. Today of all days especially. You mistake hatred for Helms for a hatred of this great country. You couldn't be more wrong. Many despise what Helms did to undermine and suppress opposing viewpoints. I feel no way at all about his passing. His old school way of politicking is fading, anyway. Now go fly your flag and thank Jefferson, Adams, and Washington that you and I can say what we wish without fear of reprisal (although Premier Bush has done what he can to change that).
Rustidad...
I hope you feel the same disdain for those on the "right" who made disparaging or off color remarks about Tim Russert's passing, or the ignorant cooments about Ted Kennedy when he got his health related death sentence. As for liberals not believing in God, well that is a pathetic statement. There is a huge difference between politics and governance and religion. To say that liberals are mostly Godless shows that your statements are no better than those you condemn. The commentary is insulting and untrue at its core.
Please hold the line for Mr. Satan
Time to pay up Jesse.
I'm sure he will always remember
("I shall always remember the shady streets, the quiet Sundays, the cotton wagons, the Fourth of July parades, the New Year's Eve firecrackers. I shall never forget the stream of school kids marching uptown to place flowers on the Courthouse Square monument on Confederate Memorial Day," Helms wrote in a newspaper column in 1956.)
Those white sheets also.