Changes

Mr. Helms' opposition to increasing the role of the federal government in the lives of every day citizens earned him the title "Senator No".  From his first term to his last Mr. Helms rejected nominations of unqualified liberal candidates, against federal spending (except his very principaled stance for the millitary and economically and strategically sound support for federal aid for farmers),  <ref>http://www.answers.com/topic/jesse-helms</ref>.  Helms supported and befriended qualified candidates regardless of party affiliation whom he felt would better the country, such as [[Madeline Albright]] for US Ambassador to the United Nations and later Secretary of State (ref: Madam Secretary, Madeline Albright).  Helms was known for his bipartisan friendships despite ideological differences.  However, Helms was broadminded and tolerant of contrary views, and unafraid to be proven in error. For instance Helms originally stood against increased funding to stop the devastation caused by [[AIDS]] in Africa.  Helms change of heart on this issue in his own words: "It had been my feeling that AIDS was a disease largely spread by reckless and voluntary sexual and drug-abusing behavior, and that it would probably be confined to those in high risk populations. I was wrong."{{fact}}

Mr. Helms' opposition to increasing the role of the federal government in the lives of every day citizens earned him the title "Senator No".  From his first term to his last Mr. Helms rejected nominations of unqualified liberal candidates, against federal spending (except his very principaled stance for the millitary and economically and strategically sound support for federal aid for farmers),  <ref>http://www.answers.com/topic/jesse-helms</ref>.  Helms supported and befriended qualified candidates regardless of party affiliation whom he felt would better the country, such as [[Madeline Albright]] for US Ambassador to the United Nations and later Secretary of State (ref: Madam Secretary, Madeline Albright).  Helms was known for his bipartisan friendships despite ideological differences.  However, Helms was broadminded and tolerant of contrary views, and unafraid to be proven in error. For instance Helms originally stood against increased funding to stop the devastation caused by [[AIDS]] in Africa.  Helms change of heart on this issue in his own words: "It had been my feeling that AIDS was a disease largely spread by reckless and voluntary sexual and drug-abusing behavior, and that it would probably be confined to those in high risk populations. I was wrong."{{fact}}

=== Moving the Party Right ===

=== Standing on principal ===

Helms challenged the Republican party to engage the socially and economically conservative values of the American People.  Helms's conservative values won him a 100% rating from the American Conservative Union for the entire last decade he was in office and never more than 10% according to similar liberal groups.  Terry O'Neill -- of the far left [[feminist]] group, the [[National Organization for Women]] -- on hearing of Helms ill health and planned retirement reacted gleefully with the statement "It's a very good thing for the country that he's leaving the Senate."   

Helms challenged the Republican party to engage the socially and economically conservative values of the American People.  Helms's conservative values won him a 100% rating from the American Conservative Union for the entire last decade he was in office and never more than 10% according to similar liberal groups.  Terry O'Neill -- of the far left [[feminist]] group, the [[National Organization for Women]] -- on hearing of Helms ill health and planned retirement reacted gleefully with the statement "It's a very good thing for the country that he's leaving the Senate."