Buchanan defends concentration camp guard

[Hutch]

Buchnan.on the strength of his movement, was given the keynote address spot on the GOP and proceeding to deliver an over the top, hard right diatribe which even the GOP commentators on network news said was a disaster for the GOP. It did severe damage to the GOP in November.

Which led to one of the great snarky comments of all times from one of my favorite columnists of all times, Molly Ivins. When asked what she thought of Buchanans' speech, she replied:

"It had probably sounded better in the original German,"

I really think Buchanan believes the guy is not guilty. For him it is not some act for attention, it is his belief and as we all know, belief can be hard to argue against. I think in his own eyes, Buchanan sees himself like John Adams defending the British Soldiers after the "Boston Massacre", standing up for the little guy when all hands are raised against him.

Of course, he could just be full-tilt Bozo....

Press on.

 

[dudalb]

Ijust have to add I have read Pat Buchanan's recent book on the origins of World War 2,"Churchill,Hitler, and the UnNecessary War" and not since David Irving have I seen more total garbage in a work of "history".

I think it is very hard to avoid the conclusion that Buchanan for whatever reason, tries to whitewash Nazi Germany. He stops short of Holocaust Denial.,although since he seems to be getting more and more extreme, I would not be suprised if he ended embracing that as well.
If I want to play amateur shrink, I would say that Buchanan's huge hatred of Communism..(And I despise it too) is at the root of his Nazi apologia. Since they were fanatic Anti Communists, he has a "They Can't Be THAT Bad" attitude toward them.

 

[Cicero]

Ijust have to add I have read Pat Buchanan's recent book on the origins of World War 2,"Churchill,Hitler, and the UnNecessary War" and not since David Irving have I seen more total garbage in a work of "history".

I think it is very hard to avoid the conclusion that Buchanan for whatever reason, tries to whitewash Nazi Germany. He stops short of Holocaust Denial.,although since he seems to be getting more and more extreme, I would not be suprised if he ended embracing that as well.
If I want to play amateur shrink, I would say that Buchanan's huge hatred of Communism..(And I despise it too) is at the root of his Nazi apologia. Since they were fanatic Anti Communists, he has a "They Can't Be THAT Bad" attitude toward them.

That doesn't explain his fondness for Putin, the former KGB chief. Now PB&J swings in on a knotted rope to defend Russia's Soviet style military exploits that once upon a time he condemned them for.

 

[Darth Rotor]

That doesn't explain his fondness for Putin, the former KGB chief. Now PB&J swings in on a knotted rope to defend Russia's Soviet style military exploits that once upon a time he condemned them for.

Yes, that is part of what has made me wonder where PB's mind has wandered off to. He seems to have gotten into a little clique with folks like Paul Craig Roberts, the two fo them being experienced sub alterns in presidential administrations, who think their world view must be respected due to that ancient experience.

PB's slavish worship of free markets turned me off in the 90's, and very few things he has said since have made much sense. He now and again writes a worthwhile commentary, but it is so rare I don't bother looking anymore.

 

[dudalb]

That doesn't explain his fondness for Putin, the former KGB chief. Now PB&J swings in on a knotted rope to defend Russia's Soviet style military exploits that once upon a time he condemned them for.

I think he sees Putin as some sort of savior of Europe from the Evil European Muslims.
Buchanan attitude toward Muslims is truly bizarre: He seems to defend their actions vis a vis Israel, but seems to hate and fear them once they leave the Mideast.

And then Pat has a fondness for Dictators( as long as they are not Marxist) as shown by his near worship of Franco. I think he sees Putin as an acceptable Nationalist Dictator despite his KGB past.

 

[Greg_in_CO]

It's my impression that the Coulters, Lumbaughs, Becks, etc., understand that their brand of crazy in entertainment for the far right. PB, however, really seems to believe the drivel he spews.

 

[CORed]

Actually 1992 ,not 1996 was Buchanan's first serious run. He did not have a chance to win the nomination, but his New Hampshire win against Bush Sr sent shock waves through the GOP, and electrified a right wing movement in the GOP which forced Bush Sr further to the right then he probably would have gone otherwise, and gave Ross Perot the idea that Bush might be vulnerable to a third Party Candidate.
Buchnan.on the strength of his movement, was given the keynote address spot on the GOP and proceeding to deliver an over the top, hard right diatribe which even the GOP commentators on network news said was a disaster for the GOP. It did severe damage to the GOP in November.
In fact, I would argue that Buchanan 1992 antics had a greater impact on politics then his 1996 run did, since it collapased fairly early.

I remember the 1992 keynote speech at the convention. The speech, and the raucous cheers it got from the delegates, pretty well convinced me to vote for Clinton.