On August 17, 1992, conservative commentator Patrick J. Buchanan addressed the Republican National Convention, delivering a speech that would long be remembered as the definitive statement of the American "culture war." Diagnosing the national condition as one of spiritual decline, Buchanan neatly divided the American populace into two competing camps— one that was traditional, patriotic, and conservative, and another that was radical, deviant, and fiercely liberal. A vote for George H. W. Bush, Buchanan declared, was a vote for the former; a vote for William Jefferson Clinton was a vote for the latter. If Americans were to emerge from their spiritual descent and return to the "Judeo‐Christian" values upon which the nation was founded, it was
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But in order to understand Buchanan's argument—indeed, to understand why he was afforded a speaking slot at the RNC in the first place—one must first understand a few things about his life, career, politics, and the context in which these events unfolded. A life‐long conservative, Buchanan had served as an advisor to three Republican administrations, had helped invent the art of media punditry, and had gained a national reputation as a passionate advocate of right‐leaning positions. Through it all, he placed his stamp on a movement that had largely defined the political climate of the late twentieth century.1 Like many conservative Republicans, Buchanan supported the Bush candidacy in 1988 and wished Bush the best during Voices of Democracy 7 (2012): 47‐59 Miller 48 the early days of his administration. Like many conservatives, however, Buchanan was outraged at Bush's decision to raise taxes, directly reneging on a campaign pledge. As the end of Bush's first term drew near, Buchanan launched a primary challenge to express his
But in order to understand Buchanan's argument—indeed, to understand why he was afforded a speaking slot at the RNC in the first place—one must first understand a few things about his life, career, politics, and the context in which these events unfolded. A life‐long conservative, Buchanan had served as an advisor to three Republican administrations, had helped invent the art of media punditry, and had gained a national reputation as a passionate advocate of right‐leaning positions. Through it all, he placed his stamp on a movement that had largely defined the political climate of the late twentieth century.1 Like many conservative Republicans, Buchanan supported the Bush candidacy in 1988 and wished Bush the best during Voices of Democracy 7 (2012): 47‐59 Miller 48 the early days of his administration. Like many conservatives, however, Buchanan was outraged at Bush's decision to raise taxes, directly reneging on a campaign pledge. As the end of Bush's first term drew near, Buchanan launched a primary challenge to express his