Larry Kudlow Is Much More Than a Commentator and a Host

"We believe that free market capitalism is the best path to prosperity!" -- The Kudlow Creed

Dear Sir Larry,

I just read the CNBC announcement that you are retiring from the "Kudlow Report" at the end of March.

I wanted to write to you and say that you have been a beacon for me and many others throughout nearly a decade-and-a-half (on "The Kudlow Report", "Kudlow & Company", "Kudlow & Cramer" and "America Now").

You are bigger than just a commentator and host of "The Kudlow Report." You are a man who has faced headwinds and adversity and has conquered them all.

You are among the handful of beautiful people I have been associated with who have known trials, known struggles, have known loss and have found their way out of the depths to rise to new heights.

My Grandma Koufax used to say, "Dougie, it's not where you start that counts, it's where you end up. If the road was smooth, you have likely taken the wrong route. And, remember, never to suffer would never to have been blessed."

Hardship either makes or breaks people. It made you.
To me, you have ended your role as host of "The Kudlow Report" at your professional apex.

You have been a forerunner in the integration and analysis of politics, policy and markets in the media.

Your delivery has always fluid, your point of view always substantive, not easy tasks.

You are by far the best dressed in the Fourth Estate.

You have had the rare ability to bring out the best in investment debate and from experts with markedly opposing viewpoints. Despite spirited debates, you managed to end every segment on high, courteous and respectful notes.

I will forever treasure the many appearances on "The Kudlow Report." Most were filled with exciting sparring against the bullish cabal. Some even ended up with a historic calculus, like my early-March "generational bottom" call I made on your show.

You also brought me back together with old friends during that period, like with Uncle Vinnie Farrell, Joe Battipaglia, Mikey Holland and many others.

On a more personal note, your mentoring of my son Noah will never be forgotten by me, him or my family.

Now with Noah getting his Doctorate at The University of Pennsylvania, I am sure he is on the way to an even more exciting career than when he originally met you that first time over dinner at Nicolas Restaurant in New York City. You, in part, are responsible for some of Noah's great successes in print (Huffington Post and TheStreet), on television (MSNBC) and in his important role in addiction treatment.

To myself, Noah and so many others that you have helped, you are a personal role model.

I am a former "Naider Raider," you are a former member of the Reagan Administration. Our politics are diametrically opposed, but our debates have always been lively and respectful of view.

You are my favorite Republican, ever.

I call you Sir Larry because of the esteem I hold for you.
Like members of my family, I like to think that you call me Dougie because of the fondness you have for me.

Wherever you are and whenever you call, Sir Larry, Dougie is there for you.

With Love and Fondness,

Dougie