Pat Buchanan is a major figure in the paleoconservative movement in the US. He is widely recognized as an American author, political commentator, politician, journalist, and broadcaster. Throughout his career, Buchanan has provided assistance to US Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan. He has also gained prominence through his appearances on television and his numerous books, which delve into his perspectives on immigration and free trade. However, his controversial comments have often sparked criticism, with some labeling him as racist and antisemitic. Buchanan has also faced backlash for his denial of the Holocaust and his opposition to the 2003 Iraq War, which led to the cancellation of his show Buchanan and Press. Despite these controversies, he has made significant contributions to the political landscape, having run for the Republican presidential nomination twice and later becoming the Reform Party’s presidential nominee. Buchanan has also co-launched The American Conservative magazine and hosted shows like CNN’s Crossfire. His writings have been featured in esteemed publications such as National Review and The Nation.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Patrick Joseph Buchanan
- Age: 85 Years, 85 Year Old Males
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Shelley Scarney (m. 1971)
- Father: William Baldwin Buchanan
- Mother: Catherine Elizabeth (Crum) Buchanan
- Siblings: Bay Buchanan, Brian Buchanan, Henry Buchanan, James Buchanan, John Buchanan, Kathleen Theresa Buchanan, Thomas Buchanan, William Buchanan Jr.
- Born Country: United States
- Journalists
- American Men
- Height: 6’1″ (185 cm), 6’1″ Males
- U.S. State: Washington
- Ideology: Republicans
- More Facts
- Education: Columbia University, Georgetown University
Childhood & Early Life
Patrick Joseph Buchanan, better known as Pat Buchanan, was born on November 2, 1938, in Washington, DC. He was born into an Irish Catholic family to parents William Baldwin Buchanan and Catherine Elizabeth (Crum) Buchanan. His father worked as a partner in an accounting firm, while his mother was a nurse. Pat Buchanan is of mixed ancestry, with Irish, English, Scottish, and German roots. He grew up with six brothers and two sisters. His father encouraged him to participate in debates, and one of his great-grandfathers had fought for the Confederate Army in the American Civil War. Pat Buchanan attended Catholic schools, following in the footsteps of his father and brothers.
Education and Career
In 1961, Pat Buchanan obtained an AB degree in English from Georgetown University. However, during his senior year, he got into trouble when he received a traffic ticket and assaulted the police verbally and physically. As a result, he was arrested, fined, and suspended from the university for a year. During his suspension, he briefly considered a career in accounting but ultimately decided to pursue journalism. In 1962, he obtained an MS degree from Columbia University’s School of Journalism in New York City.
Career in Journalism and Politics
Pat Buchanan began his career in journalism in 1962 with the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, a conservative midwestern newspaper. However, he soon switched to politics and became an assistant and speechwriter to Richard M. Nixon in 1966. After Nixon was elected president in 1968, Buchanan served as his special assistant. He remained associated with Nixon until the Watergate scandal, testifying before the Senate Watergate Committee in 1973 and denying any involvement in illegal activities.
Following Nixon’s resignation, Buchanan worked as an advisor to President Gerald R. Ford. He also became a columnist, radio, and TV commentator. In 1985, he became President Ronald Reagan’s director of communications. Buchanan ran for the nomination of the Republican Party in 1992 and 1996 but was not successful. He also criticized President George H.W. Bush and opposed policies on abortion, LGBTQ rights, and free trade. In 1999, he announced his intention to try for the nomination again but was not successful.
Controversies and Personal Life
Pat Buchanan has been involved in several controversies throughout his career. He has been accused of antisemitism, fascism, and Holocaust denial. He has also been accused of racism for his comments on the Central Park jogger case and was taken off-air from his MSNBC show due to his opposition to the Iraq War.
Buchanan is married to Shelley Ann Scarney since 1971, and they have a cat named Gipper. He is a staunch Catholic and follows his religion in a traditional manner.
Books and Other Endeavors
In addition to his career in journalism and politics, Pat Buchanan has written multiple books, including “The Death of the West,” “The Great Betrayal,” and “The New Majority.” He co-established the magazine The American Conservative in 2002 and served as its founding editor. He also established the foundation named The American Cause and has been published in major publications such as The Nation, National Review, and Rolling Stone. He has appeared on various TV shows as a political commentator and has contributed to the far-right website VDARE.