Buchanan's third bid in the 2000 race finally cut him off completely from the party. He announced in October of 1999 he was defecting to the Reform Party founded by billionaire Ross Perot. The maneuver led to a new rupture, as many of Buchanan's positions -- his opposition to abortion and affirmative action -- ran counter to the more liberal leanings of many party members. A dust-up at the Reform Party convention resulted in two nominees, Buchanan and John Hagelin.

Buchanan was born November 2, 1938, in Washington, D.C., the third of the nine children. He was educated in Catholic schools, Georgetown University and the Columbia University Journalism School. He began a career as a reporter with the conservative St. Louis Globe-Democrat but detoured into politics when former Vice President Richard M. Nixon enlisted Buchanan in his 1968 campaign. Buchanan followed Nixon to the White House where he served as an advisor and speechwriter. In 1971, Buchanan met Shelley Ann Scarney, a White House receptionist, and married her in 1971.

Buchanan survived the Watergate scandal and Nixon's 1974 resignation and worked in then-President Gerald Ford's administration until he returned to journalism in 1975 and worked as a political columnist and TV and radio commentator. His bombastic style won him a spot as America’s leading spokesmen for right-wing ideologies. He as called for battening down the borders, opposed trade agreements and U.S. military involvement abroad.

In 1985, Buchanan returned to the White House with President Ronald Reagan for two years then returned to punditry, appearing regularly on CNN's Crossfire, The McLaughlin Group and his own radio program, Buchanan & Co.. He has also authored five books.

Full Name: Patrick Joseph Buchanan
Born: November 2, 1938, in Washington, D.C.
Age: 61

Political Experience:
Ran for Republican presidential nomination, 1992 and 1996
Founder of the American Cause, 1993
White House communications director under President Ronald Reagan, 1985-1987
Special consultant to President Gerald Ford, 1974
White House special consultant to President Richard Nixon, 1972-1974
Senior adviser and speechwriter for Nixon, 1969-1972
Executive assistant to Nixon, 1966-1969

Work Experience:
Host of CNN's Crossfire, 1982-1985; 1987-1991; 1993-1995; 1997-present
Host of Mutual Radio's Buchanan & Co., 1993-1995
Moderator of CNN's The Capital Gang, 1988-1992
Panelist on The McLaughlin Group, 1982-1985; 1988-1992
Newspaper columnist and editorial writer, off-and-on from 1962-1999

Military Experience:
None

Education:
M.S. from Columbia University School of Journalism, 1962
B.A. from Georgetown University, 1961

Family: Married to Shelley. Has no children. Lives in McLean, Virginia.

Contact campaign office:
Buchanan 2000
P.O. Box 1919
Merrifield, VA 22116-1919
Phone: (703)734-2700

Political Experience:
Presidential candidate, natural Law Party, 1992 and 1996

Work Experience:
President, University of World Peace, 1999-current Director, Institute of Science, Technology & Public Policy, 1992-current President and director of research, Enlightened Audio Designs Corp., 1989-current Physics department professor, chair, Maharishi University of Management, 1984-current

Military Experience:
None

Education:
B.A. in physics from Dartmouth College, 1975 M.S. in quantum physics from Harvard University, 1976 Ph.D. in quantum physics from Harvard University, 1981

Family: Divorced, no children.

Contact campaign office:
Hagelin 2000
P.O. Box 1900
Fairfield, Iowa 52556
Phone: 800-332-0000 • 515-472-2040
Web site: www.hagelin.org/

Buchanan for President: www.gopatgo2000.org/

Listen to excerpts of candidates' stump speeches.

Related Stories:

Buchanan Stump Speech (14.4 | 28.8)
All Things Considered, October 4, 2000
Patrick Buchanan is the Reform Party candidate for President. The one-time speech writer for Richard Nixon quit the Republican Party last year. This is Buchanan's third run for president. We hear a portion of his speech last week in Baton Rouge, in which he continued his theme of social conservatism, blasting Republicans and Democrats for "taking religion out of the schools" and for their support of abortion rights. Buchanan says he would have a litmus test for the Supreme Court: he would only appoint justices who are opposed to abortion.

Pat Buchanan (14.4 | 28.8)
Morning Edition, September 18, 2000
As part of Morning Edition's coverage of third party candidates, host Bob Edwards talks with Reform Party Candidate Patrick Buchanan. Buchanan, a staunch Republican since the Barry Goldwater days, says he's running on this ticket because he feels the Republicans are not addressing the big issues. Buchanan says his Reform Party offers an entirely different vision for the country, one that includes de-centralizing the federal government, an emphasis on states' rights, and lessening the power of the Supreme Court.

Third Party Candidates (14.4 | 28.8)
Morning Edition, September 18, 2000
NPR's Peter Kenyon reports on yet another issue in the debate over the Presidential Debates. After both the Gore and Bush campaigns agreed on their debate formats, third party candidates are feeling excluded. For them to participate, third party candidates must meet what they call a ridiculous criterion set up by the bi-partisan Commission on Presidential Debates. That criterion states that a candidate must win an average of at least 15-percent in national polls to be invited to the debates. (3:57)

Reform Party (14.4 | 28.8)
All Things Considered, August 29, 2000
NPR's Pam Fessler reports on decision-making by state election officials across the country about which of the two Reform Party candidates to recognize on their presidential election ballots. Both Patrick Buchanan and John Hagelin claim to be the real Reform Party candidate. This dispute -- which has some $12.6 Million dollars in Federal funds ((ed: *NOT* "Federal matching funds")) riding alongside it -- will wind up in courts across the country before election day.

Reform Party (14.4 | 28.8)
Weekend Edition Sunday, August 13, 2000
NPR's Andy Bowers reports from Long Beach, California, on the Reform Party convention. The party has split into two factions, with two candidates running for President.

Reform Party Split (14.4 | 28.8)
Morning Edition, August 11, 2000
NPR's Andy Bowers reports from Long Beach, California, where the Reform Party convention has split in two. Supporters of Pat Buchanan control the convention hall. Yesterday they refused entrance to delegates for John Hagelin, so Hagelin's supporters moved to another site, at a theater next door. It now appears there will be two different Reform Party presidential candidates.

Reform Chaos (14.4 | 28.8)
All Things Considered, August 10, 2000
The Reform Party opened its national convention in Long Beach California today, still divided over the official standing of presidential candidate Pat Buchanan. Supporters of the firebrand conservative insist he has won a mail-in primary for the Reform nomination, while other party members say he has been disqualified. Buchanan supporters had the upper hand in the convention hall, so the dissenters walked out. NPR's Andy Bowers talks to Noah live from Long Beach.