#1.) The reason this author has such a high regard for Peggy Noonan is beacuse not only was he a strong author he was also a highly skilled and reconized speechwriter.
#2.) My interpretation of this line is that a man died and slipped from the world of earth to touch the face of god.
I'm sorry but i can't help with the 3rd one, being as I am only a 8th grader but I hope the other 2 answers helped you.