Pat Buchanan 1996 presidential campaign
| Pat Buchanan 1996 presidential campaign | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Candidate | Pat Buchanan White House Communications Director (1985-1987) |
| Affiliation | Republican |
| Announced | February 1995 |
| Suspended | August 1996 |
| Slogan | Go Pat Go |
In 1996, Pat Buchanan, an American author and political commentator, sought the Republican Party (GOP) nomination for the 1996 United States presidential election. He lost the nomination to Bob Dole, who lost the general election.
Buchanan had ran for the nomination in 1992, but lost to George H.W. Bush. After the 1996 election, Buchanan associated with the Reform Party, and successfully became that party's nomination for the 2000 presidential election, but he again lost the general election.
Background
[edit]Pat Buchanan was an aide to presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan. Meanwhile, he became an author and political commentator on TV and radio. He was a "harsh critic" of President George H.W. Bush during his term, and in 1992, Buchanan ran for the Republican nomination in the 1992 presidential election, against him. Bush ultimately won the nomination. Buchanan received 23% of the primary vote.[1]
Campaign
[edit]
Pat Buchanan announced his campaign in February 1995.[2] The Christian Science Monitor wrote that he "has highlighted an ideological schism within the GOP at a time when the party would rather be closing ranks to defeat President Clinton."[3] He used "blunt, memorable" populist and nativist language and divided the right wing, especially because of his opposition to free trade economic policies like NAFTA which many conservatives supported.[1][4] Britannica writes: "Buchanan criticized U.S. attempts to broker peace in the world and what he saw as the undue influence of Israel on U.S. foreign policy. He advocated [for] a temporary moratorium on immigration. He decried the feminist and homosexual rights movements and was adamantly opposed to abortion. He denounced as futile Republican attempts to win elections by moving toward the middle of the political spectrum."[1] He also wanted the U.S. stop giving foreign countries aid and take American soldiers out of Bosnia, saying American troops should be sent to the U.S.-Mexico border instead.[3]
After being compared ideologically to Ku Klux Klan member David Duke, Buchanan disavowed him and removed a campaign adviser who had ties to him.[5] Buchanan won the New Hampshire primary, receiving 27% of the vote, compared to Kansas Senator Bob Dole at 26% and former Tennessee Governor Lamar Alexander at 23%.[6] Buchanan had difficulty later on. He continued his campaign until August 1996, and did not endorse Bob Dole, who won the nomination. (Bob Dole lost the general election.) He encouraged his supporters to not leave the Republican Party.[4][7]
Buchanan received 20% of the primary vote or 3,184,943 votes and 4 states (Alaska, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Missouri).
Aftermath
[edit]In October 1999, Buchanan left the Republican Party and became associated with the Reform Party. He successfully became their nomination for the 2000 presidential election, but lost the general election.[1] Some commentators believe Buchanan's policies may have inspired those of Donald Trump.[4][5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Pat Buchanan | Biography & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
- ^ TIME (1995-02-15). "1996 . . . BUCHANAN'S BACK". TIME. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
- ^ a b "PAT BUCHANAN". Christian Science Monitor. ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
- ^ a b c "Pat Buchanan: Former presidential candidate". Politico. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
- ^ a b "The Man Who Won the Republican Party Before Trump Did". The New York Times. September 8, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
- ^ "Buchanan Takes New Hampshire Primary in Upset | News | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
- ^ "Declaring a Triumph of Ideas, Buchanan Calls for a G.O.P. Truce". The New York Times. August 12, 1996. Retrieved October 6, 2024.