Snippets from the Boston Globe:

“America lost a great public servant and true patriot today,” White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said.

The Wall Street Journal reported that he referred to African-Americans by the catch-all term “Fred” (e.g., “What does that Fred want?” “What did this Fred say?”). Filibustering against making Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a national holiday, Mr. Helms called him a practitioner of “action-oriented Marxism” whose principles were “not compatible with the concepts of this country.”

The senator’s divisiveness was not restricted to race. According to Mr. Helms, gays who suffered from AIDS did so as the result of “deliberate, disgusting, revolting conduct.” In 1994, he declared that Bill Clinton ‘‘better watch out if he comes down here [to North Carolina]. He’d better have a bodyguard.” The year before he’d explained his opposition to a Clinton nominee was based on politics as well as sexual orientation. “She’s not your garden-variety lesbian,” he said. “She’s a militant-activist-mean lesbian.”

Mr. Helms’ polarizing tendencies were much apparent in his broadcasts (he liked to refer to the civil rights movement as “the civil rights uproar”). In elective office, those tendencies inspired criticism from both sides of the political sprectrum.
(Read More @ The Boston Globe)

Snippets from the SF Chronicle:

“Jesse Helms was a kind, decent, and humble man and a passionate defender of what he called “the Miracle of America.” So it is fitting that this great patriot left us on the Fourth of July. He was once asked if he had any ambitions beyond the United States Senate. He replied: ‘The only thing I am running for is the Kingdom of Heaven.’ Today, Jesse Helms has finished the race, and we pray he finds comfort in the arms of the loving God he strove to serve throughout his life.”
_ President Bush.

“Jesse Helms, my friend and long-time senator from my home state of North Carolina, was a man of consistent conviction to conservative ideals and courage to faithfully serve God and country based on principle, not popularity or politics. In the tradition of Presidents Jefferson, Adams and Monroe — who also passed on July 4th — it is fitting that such a patriot who fought for free markets and free people would die on Independence Day. As we celebrate the birth of our nation, I thank God for the blessings we enjoy, which Senator Helms worked so hard to preserve.”
_ The Rev. Billy Graham.

“At the height of his power, he fought for the values of the old confederacy. He resisted the new South. He resisted the opportunity to fight for a more perfect union.”
_ The Rev. Jesse Jackson.

“Bob and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our longtime friend Senator Jesse Helms. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his precious wife Dot and their family. In succeeding Jesse to represent North Carolina in the United States Senate, I knew I could never replace him, but I continue to strive each day to provide the dedicated constituent service he provided the people of our state for 30 years. As my father would say, Jesse was indeed a watchdog — for North Carolina and for the nation.”
_ North Carolina GOP Sen. Elizabeth Dole.

“Jesse Helms’ legacy is one of hatred, homophobia and racism. Although not its intent, that legacy has made our community stronger and more able to forcefully respond to bigotry and prejudice. As a community, we are more committed than ever to securing full equality for all GLBT people.”
_ Joe Solmonese, president of the Washington-based Human Rights Campaign.

“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.
_ Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky.

“As a friend, I will miss Jesse’s warm smile and genuine hugs and friendly demeanor. It is an ending tribute that Senator Helms passed on Independence Day, as he was a strong defender of our country’s security and family values. His passing is a great loss for our state and country.”
_ Charlotte Mayor and GOP governors’ nominee Pat McCrory.

“Senator Helms was the truest of patriots. His passion for conservative principles and the vigor with which he pursued them was second to none. I consider Senator Helms to be a mentor and dear friend. He dedicated his life to ensuring that the America he knew and loved would remain a strong beacon of freedom in a tumultuous world. Senator Helms leaves behind a strong legacy of fighting for the freedoms that make America great, even in the face of the strongest of foes.”
_ North Carolina GOP Rep. Virginia Foxx.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Senator Helms. He loved his country and he loved his home state of North Carolina. He set the standard for constituent service — with no problem being too small or too big for him to tackle. Senator Helms will be remembered for his work to spread freedom around the world and his unmovable core convictions that guided him through his career. I am proud to have called Jesse Helms a friend and a mentor.”
_ North Carolina Rep. Robin Hayes.
(Read More @ SFGate)