Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s influence among American conservatives has long been evident, and news of her death Monday served as another affirmation of her stateside stature. Republicans and prominent figures on the American right flocked to Twitter to pay tribute to the woman known as the “Iron Lady.”
Calling Thatcher “one of the great leaders of the 20th century,” Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) took to Twitter moments after the news broke.
RIP Margaret Thatcher, one of the great leaders of the 20th century
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) April 8, 2013
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) said Thatcher “inspired the world to empower people and families over government.”
You inspired the world to empower people and families over government. In doing so, you helped save it. Rest in peace, Lady Thatcher.
— Eric Cantor (@EricCantor) April 8, 2013
Former United Nations ambassador and Fox News contributor John Bolton hailed Thatcher as a “courageous leader and staunch defender of freedom.”
My thoughts and prayers with Margaret Thatcher and family. A courageous leader and staunch defender of freedom, she will be greatly missed.
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) April 8, 2013
Rep. Steve King (R-IA), the tea party champion who may launch a bid in Iowa’s U.S. Senate race next year, quoted a 1994 speech Thatcher gave in Storm Lake, Iowa.
Lady Thatcher, “My positions were very soundly based. I saw no reason to change them.” Storm Lake, IA 1994. Reagan & Berlin Wall. #thatcher
— Steve King (@SteveKingIA) April 8, 2013
Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus described Thatcher as “one of the world’s greatest conservative leaders.”
Our prayers are with Lady Thatcher’s family. She was one of the world’s greatest conservative leaders and will always be remembered
— Reince Priebus (@Reince) April 8, 2013
MSNBC host Joe Scarborough praised Thatcher for saving “Great Britain from a 40 year decline.” Scarborough’s eponymous program “Morning Joe” also devoted much of Monday’s broadcast to eulogizing the conservative icon.
Remembering Margaret Thatcher on Morning Joe. A great lady who bent history and saved Great Britain from a 40 year decline.
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) April 8, 2013
Steve Forbes, CEO and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, expressed gratittude to Thatcher for her guidance on his presidential bids. Forbes sought the Republican presidential nomination in both 1996 and 2000.
I will always be grateful for the help Margaret Thatcher gave me when I ran for President. She was a mentor and a wonderful friend.
— Steve Forbes (@SteveForbesCEO) April 8, 2013
Erick Erickson, editor and founder of RedState.com, said that Thatcher was the first politician he met.
Margaret Thatcher was the first politician I ever met. She was a wonderful person and a great leader.
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) April 8, 2013
In his unmistakable Twitter prose, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) wrote that Thatcher saved Great Britain “fr its Socialist economy &gaveMORALleadership.”
GreatBritain is a greater nation todayfrom MargaretThatcher leadership.she saved the island fr its Socialist economy &gaveMORALleadership
— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) April 8, 2013
Rep. Steve Stockman (R-TX) paid tribute to Thatcher in characteristically combative fashion, calling on conservatives to “crush liberalism and sweep it into the dustbin of history.”
The best way to honor Baroness Thatcher is to crush liberalism and sweepit into the dustbin of history.What are you doing this morning?
— Rep. Steve Stockman (@SteveWorks4You) April 8, 2013
Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) applauded Thatcher’s ” integrity, strength and freedom.”
The Iron Lady showed us how integrity, strength and freedom can change the world. Her spirit will continue on. RIP Margaret Thatcher.
— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) April 8, 2013
