Buchanan Cal Ripkin

BLOG.LESHERSPEAKERSERIES.ORG: Future Newsmaker Pat Buchanan Takes ...

An advisor to two presidents and a former presidential candidate himself, Pat Buchanan is one of America's most controversial and hard edged conservative social critics.  In an interesting juxtaposition though, Buchanan's protectionist economic policies and non-inteventionism have often times placed him at odds with the majority of the right.  His most recent column in the Manchester Union Leader (below) is an example of that.  In it, Buchanan takes the conservative movement to task for its military spending and support. 

Buchanan, like many who are more associated with the American left, contends that there must be a more austere approach to defense spending and involvement around the globe, especially as the government searches for solutions to ongoing domestic budget problems. 

It's an interesting place Buchanan occupies on the ideological continuum, a place where hard right and hard left seem to intersect at times.  One sees many of Buchanan's views in this regard carried forward by Texas Congressman/presidential candidate, Ron Paul: strict contitutionlism, avoid international conflict, slash government spending, oppose free trade agreements, etc.  What distinguishes Buchanan and Paul from liberals who share their protectionist economic views, however, is not only their beliefs about of the scope of government, but their hard-line positions on social issues like abortion, guns and gay rights. In this way, Buchanan, who made a name for himself opining on what he dubbed as America's "Culture War," is seen by many as a very strict, right wing ideologue. 

Buchanan will be visiting the Lesher Center in 2012, in what promises to be a lively debate with equally passtionate liberal pundit, Donna Brazile.  That will be an event not to miss.

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James Buchanan

Right from the Beginning

An Inquiry Into the Genealogy and Present State of Ancient Scottish Surnames, With the Origin and Descent of the Highland Clans; and Family of Buchana