Charles Krauthammer. A man of enormous intellect and one of the best political analysts we’ve ever seen.  A man whose voice we have missed these many months. Charles wrote a letter today. A humble letter of courage. A letter that says…goodbye. 

I have been uncharacteristically silent these past ten months. I had thought that silence
would soon be coming to an end, but I’m afraid I must tell you now that fate has decided
on a different course for me. In August of last year, I underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in my abdomen. That operation was thought to have been a success, but it caused a cascade of secondary complications – which I have been fighting in hospital ever since. It was a long and hard fight with many setbacks, but I was steadily, if slowly, overcoming each obstacle along the way and gradually making my way back to health.

However, recent tests have revealed that the cancer has returned. There was no sign of it as recently as a month ago, which means it is aggressive and spreading rapidly. My doctors tell me their best estimate is that I have only a few weeks left to live. This is the final verdict. My fight is over.

I wish to thank my doctors and caregivers, whose efforts have been magnificent. My dear friends, who have given me a lifetime of memories and whose support has sustained me through these difficult months. And all of my partners at The Washington Post, Fox News, and Crown Publishing.

Lastly, I thank my colleagues, my readers, and my viewers, who have made my career possible and given consequence to my life’s work. I believe that the pursuit of truth and right ideas through honest debate and rigorous argument is a noble undertaking. I am grateful to have played a small role in the conversations that have helped guide this extraordinary nation’s destiny.

I leave this life with no regrets. It was a wonderful life full and complete with the great loves and great endeavors that make it worth living. I am sad to leave, but I leave with the knowledge that I lived the life that I intended. [emphasis added]

The grace in this letter is Charles Krauthammer to a T.

This commentary from Charles on November 8, 2016 is as thought-provoking and prescient now as it was then.

Colleagues and friends across the spectrum are reacting to this news.

Rupert Murdoch:

“Charles has been a profound source of personal and intellectual inspiration for all of us at Fox News,” Murdoch said. “His always principled stand on the most important issues of our time has been a guiding star in an often turbulent world, a world that has too many superficial thinkers vulnerable to the ebb and flow of fashion, and a world that, unfortunately, has only one Charles Krauthammer.

“His words, his ideas, his dignity and his integrity will resonate within our society and within me for many, many years to come,” Murdoch added.

And so many others.

I knew this was coming, but that doesn't lessen the agony of this announcement. Charles Krauthammer is one of the most brilliant, decent, humane, impressive people I have ever had the honor to know, never mind call a friend. I am heartbroken over this. https://t.co/DRC8YoFwN0

— Jonah Goldberg (@JonahNRO) June 8, 2018

Fox News' Chris Wallace tells Charles Krauthammer: "I want you to know I love you" pic.twitter.com/qIhpJG0GEl

— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) June 8, 2018

Charles Krauthammer dove the wrong way into a too-shallow pool during his first year at Harvard Medical school and became a lifetime paraplegic. Some people might have used that as an excuse to hang it up in self-pity, but he just kept excelling from there.

— Jeff B. (@EsotericCD) June 8, 2018

Charles Krauthammer is obviously brilliant, courageous and principled, but what leaps to mind is his boyish joy watching game after game at Nat’s Park. The sweetness of his heart matches the rigor of his intellect.

— David Brooks (@nytdavidbrooks) June 8, 2018

A beautifully written piece from the Washington Post, ‘Fridays without Charles.’ 

We know we speak for many of you when we say that nothing and no one can replace him. Charles wrote for the right reasons. Lord knows — and presidents, from right to left, can attest — he didn’t seek invitations to White House dinners or other badges of approval from the powerful. He sought, rather, to provoke us to think, to enlarge our understanding, at times to make us laugh. Like few others, he succeeded, week after week, Friday after Friday, year after year. His unsparing judgments were cheered by some readers while angering others. But few could disagree that he wrote a column of breathtaking range and intelligence and integrity.

He didn’t seek fame, nor accolades. He sought to make us THINK both inside and outside the box. And to do so with compassion and integrity.

Dr. Krauthammer long one of my heroes not only as a physician but as a thoughtful compassionate human being and expert on issues of the day. His character and integrity are lessons for us all into his last days and shown in this heartbreaking letter:https://t.co/hloAz0Pw2S

— M. Zuhdi Jasser (@DrZuhdiJasser) June 8, 2018

Charles Krauthammer, a brilliant man saying goodbye on his own terms. Thank you, sir, for your humbleness and strength, and for your voice and your very insightful commentary.

Our prayers of comfort and peace are with you and your beloved family. We pray that every moment is a special blessing for all of you.