KAGAN: We learned within the last hour that former defense secretary, Caspar Weinberger, who served under President Reagan, died yesterday at the age of 88. On the phone with me right now is the former education secretary under the Reagan administration, Bill Bennett, now a CNN contributor. Bill, your memories of Caspar Weinberger in the minute we have right now.</s>BILL BENNETT, FORMER EDUCATION SECRETARY: Yes. Caspar was old school, Daryn. He was thoughtful, considered, thought about things before he said them. Very loyal to Ronald Reagan and of course, with the Defense Department buildup, he was in charge of defense, brought about the end of the Soviet empire. So it's a heck of a legacy.</s>KAGAN: His legacy somewhat tainted, would you say, because he was indicted in the Iran-Contra scandal but then later pardoned by President Bush 41?</s>BENNETT: Well, those were the days when almost everybody was indicted. So you couldn't tell much from that. But he was pardoned by the president, represented by my brother, as a matter of fact, Bob Bennett. Now I think you take a man in the totality of his actions, the good and the bad. And the good far outweighed any blemishes. He was a real giant.</s>KAGAN: Bill Bennett, thank you for your thoughts on Caspar Weinberger.</s>BENNETT: Thank you.</s>KAGAN: Once again, the former defense secretary dying yesterday at the age of 88. I'm Daryn Kagan. International news is up next. I'll have U.S. headlines for you in about 20 minutes.
Former Defense Secretary, Caspar Weinberger, Dead at 88