college republicans host pat buchanan

On April 12, the College Republicans hosted prominent political icon Patrick Buchanan. Buchanan addressed an audience of faculty, staff and students in Kendall Hall, speaking mainly on the flaws of the Bush administration, immigration, foreign policy, and free trade.  Buchanan, a senior advisor for Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, a communications director for President Ronald Reagan, a host of CNN's “Crossfire” and a former presidential nominee, warned the community: “It is your country that I think is in trouble.”

Despite a pre-lecture protest, the audience within Kendall listened attentively, later posing thoughtful and probing questions.

"Bush’s presidency is in critical condition,” said Buchanan, reflecting on his belief that the administration has strayed far from a truly conservative agenda.

A vehement opponent of the war in Iraq, Buchanan urged that it is not a conservative war and that the troops need to be brought home.

"I oppose the war in Iraq because I believe we are attacking a country that has not attacked us. We should have stayed out of other people’s wars," said Buchanan, criticizing members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, who initially “wrote a blank check to fund the war.”

Buchanan also expressed disapproval of the administration’s general foreign policy, saying that the implementation of free elections in the Middle East to create democracy is not working because the countries are not like our own. “We should deal with the world like it is,” warned Buchanan.

Another issue that Buchanan addressed was immigration and border control. Buchanan said that illegal immigration is the “hottest issue” and presents related economic and social issues.

"Can we absorb, assimilate, and Americanize these immigrants? Do they have the right to demand the benefits of citizenship at the expense of taxpayers?" asked Buchanan. 

Buchanan addressed free trade, a movement that he previously supported. “The consequences are now coming home,” said Buchanan, reflecting on the displacement of the American workforce as a result of free trade and globalization. “I don’t think globalization and free trade are good for Americans,” Buchanan added.

To close, Buchanan proposed three suggestions to improve America: seal the American border, end globalization and free trade, and bring the troops home from Iraq.