Campaign Scene

would conduct an Administration “utterly indifferent to political considerations.”

Buchanan, of course, reacts to political pressures like any other candidate; he just does it under the guise of resisting political pressure. The campaign has adroitly shifted emphasis in reaction to changing political terrain: affirmative action and gambling in Louisiana; abortion in Iowa; trade in New Hampshire. In most cases, Buchanan has also managed to become the staunchest defender of some popular local cause. In Iowa, it was family hog farms. In South Carolina, he was patting himself on the back for defending Bob Jones University (which had its tax-exempt status revoked for prohibiting inter-racial dating), as a victim of “bigotry.” But is this standing taller than any other candidate or stooping lower?

About the Author

Ramesh Ponnuru

Ramesh Ponnuru is the editor of National Review, a columnist for the Washington Post, and a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

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would conduct an Administration “utterly indifferent to political considerations.”

Buchanan, of course, reacts to political pressures like any other candidate; he just does it under the guise of resisting political pressure. The campaign has adroitly shifted emphasis in reaction to changing political terrain: affirmative action and gambling in Louisiana; abortion in Iowa; trade in New Hampshire. In most cases, Buchanan has also managed to become the staunchest defender of some popular local cause. In Iowa, it was family hog farms. In South Carolina, he was patting himself on the back for defending Bob Jones University (which had its tax-exempt status revoked for prohibiting inter-racial dating), as a victim of “bigotry.” But is this standing taller than any other candidate or stooping lower?