Pat Caddell, R.I.P.

A rare and dying breed in politics has become even more rare
with the passing of one of its members; Democrat pollster
Pat Caddell, an indispensable source of help to five Democrat
presidential candidates (most famously President Jimmy Carter);
political firm consultant with is own firm, Caddell, Doak, and
Shrum; and a political analyst who told it like it was, regardless
of how uncomfortable it made some of his clientele as well as
some others in the Democrat Party, died on February 16 from
a stroke, aged 68.

Southern born and bred, Harvard educated, and a keen observer
of political players and trends, Caddell was praised while in his
20s (!) as one of the best in the business (of polling) by prominent
members of the press. He certainly won the respect of many
prominent Democrats along the way.

However, over time Caddell became increasingly alarmed and upset
with his party's unceasing march to the far reaches of the Left, and
never made any bones about it. This cost him some respect as well
as admiration and high regard from many in the party, and he had
stormed out of his own firm in 1988. His polling data made many
Democrats uneasy and even angry, but Caddell's unwavering
honesty and integrity helped him stand his ground. He also publicly
slammed environmentalism, calling it "a conspiracy ... to basically
deconstruct capitalism". 

In recent years, he had been a guest and contributor on Fox News,
as well as a contributor on conservative web site Ricochet.com.
Caddell even advised Republican officials and at least one
contributor, Robert Mercer, who was a major fundraiser for the
victorious Trump presidential campaign in 2016.

Here was a man who, though he was loyal to a political party,
was even more loyal to his values, so that when faced with
choosing between the two the latter won out. For that, both
our country and our political arena have greatly benefited.
Godspeed, Mr. Caddell. You, sir, shall be greatly missed and
you are immensely respected and appreciated.


MEM