Republican Intellectual and Philosopher Dies at 98, Dept.

Butz, Former Agriculture Secretary, Dies

Earl L. Butz, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 1971 to 1976, died in his son's home in Washington, D.C. on Saturday.

Although Butz can be said to have fostered the rise of large-scale agribusiness in the United States, he is best known for propounding political, economic, and social philosophies that expressed his unique view of life in the United States.

His best-known pensée was recorded in 1976. On an airplane flight to California following that year's Republican National Convention, he was speaking with fellow Republicans, entertainer Pat Boone and former White House counsel John Dean. In response to Boone's question as to why the GOP was not able to attract more African-Americans to its ranks, Butz furrowed his brow, thought a moment and responded, "the only thing the coloreds are looking for in life are tight pussy, loose shoes and a warm place to shit."

Butz was 98.