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On the Possibility That Pat Buchanan Will Run as a Third-Party Candidate

Buchanan hints he's leaving. The GOP says, "Stay!" They fear that he'd be draining The wacko vote away.

Calvin Trillin

September 9, 1999

Buchanan hints he’s leaving. The GOP says, “Stay!” They fear that he’d be draining The wacko vote away.

To win they’re going mainstream. The big tent’s been OK’d. They speak of other issues, Forgetting Roe v. Wade.

But folks who hate what’s foreign And like their neighbors white Are vital to the party In any race that’s tight.

And therefore all the leaders Say, “Pat, let’s not lose touch. We want you in the party, Just please don’t say too much.”

Calvin TrillinCalvin Trillin is The Nation’s “deadline poet.”


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