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This Week in Congress Congressional floor Schedule
9-13-99
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Buchanan To Leave GOP ?
Its beginning to look more and more like Pat Buchanan will leave the Republican Party, and seek the Reform Party nomination for president. On Sundays Meet the Press the former Nixon speechwriter sounded as if his leaving will be announced in mid October. Seeming unconcerned about the effect his candidaticy would have on the GOP nominee in the fall of 2000, Buchanan continues to spout his rhetoric that the Republicans have become a carbon copy of the Democrats. Sounding more and more like a late 90's answer to George Wallace, who used the slogan "theirs not a dimes worth of difference" between the two parties in his unsuccessful 1968 third party presidential bid. Buchanan, if he does get the nod from the Reform Party, would take away many blue collar, social conservatives from the Republicans: not anywhere near enough to win the election, or even win so much as one electoral vote. But more than enough to deny George W. or who ever else might end up carrying the GOP banner next year the presidency. Buchanan has found fertile ground with his protectionist trade proposals, in unusual –for a Republican- quarters. Many old-line CIO types have formed a political odd coupling, if there ever was one with the one time Reagan staffer. Buchanan's isolationist policies also attract a reactionary element within the Republican Party that is likely to follow him next fall. Pat Buchanan is one of the most dynamic speakers on the political scene today. He possesses considerable skills as a writer. He has developed an almost cult-like following, manifesting itself in the Buchanan Brigades. To say his running as a third party candidate would not help the Gore campaign is silly. One has to wonder why someone, who has devoted so much of his adult life to the conservative cause, would aid and abet Al Gore. Even with a personal grudge against the elder Bush, as the apparent motive, he surly must realize the damage he could inflict on his party. Buchanan would do well to scrap the quixotic third party effort.
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