Thomas P. Kilgannon: Pat Buchanan: As Influential as Ever

Dulles, Virginia – The most influential newspaper columnist in two generations has retired. Pat Buchanan used his syndicated column for the anchor of the Republican Party’s right flank for 60 years. His column was occasionally set aside to give advice to Presidents Nixon, Ford and Reagan. He wrote remarks that they could recite, and history would recall. He gained a loyal audience through his written words, which he expanded on via popular television programs such as “Crossfire” “The McLaughlin Group.”

Even though he has recently retired from his column, his influence remains strong. Donald Trump used the Buchanan approach to border security, no new battles, economic nationalism and national sovereignty to win the White House in 2016.

There are hundreds of ex-Trump officials and former Trump Administration members who now support an America first political philosophy that Pat Buchanan developed over many years.

Buchanan’s opinion columns, speeches, and books reveal a brilliant intellect with the punch of Rocky Balboa. He was able to tap into the emotions of his readers. To stir hearts, he invoked the timeless truths of his Catholic faith and political principles from the Old Right. He invoked history, tradition, and patriotism to remind readers of the victories America’s forefathers secured, and the causes for which they sacrificed.

Buchanan wrote many columns on the Cold War. Buchanan was anticommunist and believed in the necessity of reversing Soviet growth to ensure American security. As White House communications director, Buchanan accompanied President Reagan to key U.S.-Soviet summits in Geneva and Reykjavik and appreciated Reagan’s tough approach to dealing with the “Evil Empire.” But what he admired even more was Reagan’s desire for a peaceful end to the Cold War and a healthy U.S. relationship with Russia.

Buchanan asked the Republican party for a reexamination of security commitments, foreign aid packages and other links to goals that had been achieved after the fall and dissolution the Berlin Wall.

President George H.W. Bush was an internationalist. Bush wanted to coddle Europe and expand NATO. Both in domestic and foreign policy, he was outof touch with the working class Americans, and had even broken his original promise. “no new taxes.”

Buchanan was a columnist and needed to become a candidate. On November 14, 1991 the Washington Times published an above-thefold headline that confirmed the rumors swirling about Washington. “On the right, a challenge,” It read. Pat put his thoughts into practice.

Buchanan called for an announcement “new patriotism, where Americans begin to put the needs of Americans first.” His topics included immigration, border Security, cultural decay and foreign entanglements. He also addressed taxes, trade, taxes and economic nationalism. And even though Mr. Bush was winning primaries, Buchanan was winning hearts – then and today.

He forced President Bush to go right on every issue. “[E]very time Buchanan decides to raise an issue,” Explaining Human Events in a March 1992 Essay “Bush, however reluctantly, appears to give ground.” Bush was forced to accept tax and spending cuts by Pat, and he was also forced to advocate for prayer in public school classrooms. Bush was also fired from the National Endowment for the Arts’ John Frohnmayer.

Pat was deeply touched by Granite State as he toured it. “forgotten Americans” He was the first to meet. These people were afraid of foreign competition. He took them into his heart, and he brought their concerns to Houston.

He shared the story of the workers that he met right before Christmas. Their paper mill was under threat from foreign competition. “Save our jobs,” One of the workers told him. He related a story of a legal secretary who he had met at the airport. She had lost work, exhausted her savings, was concerned about her daughter’s future, and had also lost her job. The convention hall was quiet. His words riveted the delegates and they shed tears.

“My friends,” Buchanan said, “these people are our people. They don’t read Adam Smith or Edmund Burke, but they come from the same schoolyards and the same playgrounds and towns as we come from. They share our beliefs and convictions, our hopes and our dreams. They are the conservatives of the heart. They are our people and we need to reconnect with them.”

The North American Free Trade Agreement was a disaster for forgotten Americans. It affected those who had lost their lives or limbs to foreign wars, traditionalists who saw themselves as heroes in the culture war, and parents who were called terrorists by the Department of Justice. Buchanan was there for them all, and he taught others how to do the exact same.

National Review published Buchanan as the cover in its March 1992 issue. “Will This Man Reshape American Politics?” Answer: Yes.

Tom Kilgannon serves as the President of Freedom Alliance, a nonprofit organization that provides support to America’s military families and advocates for a strong national defense. @TomKilgannon3 Follow us on Twitter. 

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