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| What's Buchanan's Game?
by John M. Curtis Copyright September 26, 1999
Baptized on CNN’s Crossfire, Bucanan’s no shrinking violet when it comes to provocation and mouth-to-mouth combat. Few are better propagandists, more disciplined at rhetoric and promoting his eccentric views. But none are more skilled at orchestrating the media — he’s been doing it since the Nixon White House. Unfortunately, gifted speech writers don’t always translate into scintillating public speakers. His strained and raspy voice doesn’t help his cause, nor does being on the wrong side of most issues. Beyond that, Buchanan’s misfiring when it comes to charisma. Salesmanship — at least for himself — isn’t his biggest strength. No, Buchanan’s message would have a far better chance of survival if he paid closer attention to developing more Teflon traits seen in the incumbent. Defying any true spot on the political spectrum, most people view Buchanan as so far to the right that he makes mainstream Republicans look more liberal than the current White House occupant. But when carefully analyzed, Buchanan’s views of domestic and foreign policy, read less like legendary conservative Barry Goldwater than a well educated Archie Bunker. His awareness of political incorrectness is truly mind-blowing, when you consider he’s trying to galvanize a mass movement. "If you read a lot of Hitler . . . [whoops!]," Buchanan explains to viewers on Face The Nation, "you’d get a clearer sense of history. . . ," sharing idiosyncratic views on World War II contained in his new book. Citing Hitler’s Mein Kampf is a big no no. Who knows, if he sells as many books as Adolf, he might be taken seriously. Without knowing it, Buchanan’s 'final solution' hastens his own political obituary. Shooting himself in the foot, he’s coming up a quart low in the common sense department. But with all of Buchanan’s media savvy, does he have another agenda? Though he might be the most 'misunderstood' man in Washington, his antics certainly have many people scratching their heads. Whether he succeeds at advancing his political ambitions is anyone’s guess. There’s no question that someone’s listening and he’s entitled to his views. What’s beyond any doubt is Buchanan’s flair for promoting his new book. With the politics of spin in full swing, it’s refreshing to hear poltically incorrect candidates express controversial views, since Buchanan believes both parties are now indistinguishable. You know what? Just ask Bill Clinton who successfully hijacked 'Reagan'-style Republicanism in 1992. Yes, Republicans and Democrats look more alike today, not, as Buchanan suggests, because they’re owned and operated by the same special interest groups [though this counts for something], but precisely because Clinton muscled his party toward the center. It’s now time for Republicans to return the favor. For front-runner George W. Bush Jr. turnabout is fair play. He knows all too well that he must reclaim moderate Republican ground, just as he’s done with over 30 other Republican governors. There’s a reason why Jerry Falwell and Ralph Reed are no longer front and center. We’re light-years away from Newt Gingrich’s 'contract with America' — and there’s no looking back. Buchanan now heads the 'moral minority.' No one is better at articulating the new Republicanism than George W. Bush Jr.. Republicans seeking political survival are following him to the promised land. Candidates like Buchanan are a fly in the ointment. No matter how misguided and out-of-step with the mainstream, there’s a refreshing uniqueness and colloquial charm to Buchanan’s ideas. Unfortuanately, he’s not creating a mass movement, he’s pandering to disenfranchised voters residing in places like Coeur d’ Alene. While some are still hoisting the confederate flag, Buchanan’s crusade is no more about 'saving' America than Clinton’s to salvage health care. Buchanan knows his target market and he’s going after it with abandon. There’s nothing wrong with that. But all the talk about adopting the cause of displaced White Americans doesn’t add up. Who’s he kidding? Buchanan’s far more comfortable with white 'non-Christian' TV segment producers than displaced white Christian steel workers. Unlike Texas billionaire Ross Perot in 1992, he’s capturing way under 5% of the alienated electorate, seeking anything as an option to conventional wisdom. You know what? Having some leverage is still better than no leverage. With all the grumbling about Buchanan bolting his party and possibly joining Ross Perot’s Reform Party, is it any wonder that Jesse Ventura’s beginning to lose sleep. Ventura knows that his party’s only hope is capturing mainstream crossover voters not just sweeping up disgruntled misanthropes. Adding Patrick Buchanan to the ticket assures that the Reform Party continues to be as eccentric as its flamboyant founder. Becoming a legitimate option still requires mainstream thinking and better ideas than the conventional parties. When Buchanan hears the chant "Go Pat go," it might signal the highway and not the welcome mat. About the Author John M. Curtis is editor of OnlineColumnist.com. He’s also the director of a West Los Angeles think tank specializing in human behavior, health care and political research and media consultation. He’s a seminar trainer, columnist and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma. |
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aking his cues from W.C. Fields and P.T. Barnum, ex-Nixon speech writer, political columnist, tabloid TV analyst, and recurrent presidential candidate, Patrick J. Buchanan knows the media game inside-out. Demonstrating his mastery over the circus, the impresario — with whip and chair in hand — proved that he’s the reigning king of self-promotion and media hype. Creating another tempest in a teapot, Buchanan’s cagey theatrics have earned him the number 8 billing on Amazon.com’s best seller list — a formidable accomplishment for anyone, especially presidential wannabes. President Clinton should have been so lucky. He and Hillary wouldn’t be scrambling for a mortgage to satisfy residency requirements in the Empire State. Pat Buchanan’s no fool: He’s a clever propagandist, methodically infuriating his opposition and promoting his new book, A Republic, Not An Empire [Regnery, 1999].|
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