His principled effort to oppose President Nixon in the primaries had an ill-omened beginning. The campaign was not successful, and was always in financial difficulty. But such a bold challenge against an incumbent president set the stage for Reagan's challenge against Ford in 1976, and Reagan's victory in 1980. John Ashbrook died too young. We know this from the honest mourning of his colleagues and friends.
All men die.
But some men die before their work is fully accomplished. When this happens, the mourning by those left behind is deep and heartfelt, and the event seems especially unfair. It is, in part, because of this that the John M. Ashbrook Center for Public Affairs has prospered. People understand that at least his spirit, and the things for which he stood, may be kept alive through our work. It is because of this that we at the Center take such delight in our work.