MEDORA, N.D. -- Conservative talk show host and Republican presidential candidate Pat Buchanan says he's in a battle with Mr. Clinton and Mr. Gore and Mr. Bush.
The battle with Clinton and Gore is merely for the presidency.
The battle with Texas Gov. George W. Bush, on the other hand, is a battle for the heart and soul of the Republican Party -- a battle Buchanan lost in 1996 to Bob Dole.
The three-time presidential candidate was in Bismarck and Medora this week, drumming up support for his most recent campaign.
Thursday in Bismarck, he toured a farm, opened his headquarters and spoke to 200 of his most die-hard supporters, many of whom traveled hundreds of miles to see the host of CNN's "Crossfire," who is on leave during his campaign.
Birds of a feather?
Buchanan's language in interviews and speeches frequently links Mr. Bush, the former president's son, with Mr. Clinton and Mr. Gore, the targets of Buchanan's most brutal barbs.
He tells the crowd the Republican establishment wants to do away with the primaries and get on with the business of running Al vs. George. Buchanan argues Bush agrees with Bill Clinton on too many things for Republicans to offer him their nomination.
Speaking to an audience that included members of North Dakota's Republican establishment, including Gov. Ed Schafer, at the party "roundup" in Medora on Friday, Buchanan was less direct.
"In too many cases, our party has become the echo of the Democratic Party," said Buchanan, not naming Bush by name on this occasion.
Talking about Bush
But the other stops make it clear. When Buchanan talks about Republicans echoing the arguments of Democrats, he's talking about Bush.
"Gov. Bush has made it clear that he endorses most favored nation for China, the expansion of NATO, the war in Kosovo and the bailout of Mexico," Buchanan said in an interview Thursday.
If Bush wins the Republican nomination, Buchanan argues, voters will be left to choose between Bush and Vice President Al Gore, two establishment candidates Buchanan sees as nearly identical.
The contrasts are clear, he said. Bush is the candidate of the establishment, while Buchanan is the grass-roots populist."
Conservative platform
In Bismarck and Medora, Buchanan drew applause and cheers from supporters by saying he would appoint conservative judges to the U.S. Supreme Court who would overturn Roe vs. Wade.
The war in Kosovo was a horrible mistake, Buchanan argues. He also says more gun laws wouldn't have prevented the Columbine shootings, and global free trade agreements are hurting farmers and working people while stripping the United States of its independence.
Buchanan frequently returns to the same theme. He is fighting for the protection of American sovereignty, endangered by those who dream of a global government under the United Nations and a World Bank linked to the International Monetary Fund.
At one point during his stump speech Thursday, someone in the crowd said it was time to get the U.N. out of the U.S.
"That's not a bad idea," Buchanan retorted.
Buchanan is just one of several social and cultural conservatives running for the Republican nomination in a crowded field. But unlike Gary Bauer and Dan Quayle, Buchanan is battle-tested. He's run in Iowa and New Hampshire before.
A shot in the arm
The large crowds at appearances in North Dakota seemed to give Buchanan a shot in the arm. He said it was astonishing to see an overflow crowd of 200 pack into a hotel meeting room for a campaign speech seven months before the first primary contests.
"It's a sign of real interest," Buchanan said. The North Dakota Republican caucus will be held in February, making it one of the nation's first contests. So far two candidates -- Buchanan and former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander, who was also in Medora Friday -- have visited the state.
Remains confident
Bush's lead in the polls doesn't seem to faze Buchanan, who said he fought a similar battle four years ago against Bob Dole.
In that race, Buchanan stunned the political establishment and beat Dole with a first-place finish in the New Hampshire primary before a disappointing showing in Arizona doomed his chances. He blames that poor performance on Steve Forbes' sinking $5 million into the Arizona primary, even after Forbes placed fourth in New Hampshire and Iowa.
Dole attack ads that suggested Buchanan was an extremist also hurt, Buchanan admits, as did the presence in the race of other conservatives, who split that important vote.
"Eventually, the social and cultural conservatives have to unite if we're going to win," Buchanan said. He notes that Forbes is in the race this year, too, meaning resources will be necessary.
Still, Buchanan, whom critics and admirers alike describe as politically cagey and shrewd, remains confident. "Forbes is not as fresh this time," he said. "You've got a candidate in George W., who is utterly untested on the national level.
The glory days
He said Republicans desperately want to win the 2000 presidential election, and that's what is driving the movement to all but appoint George W. Bush as the party's nominee.
But Buchanan says he is the candidate who can restore the party to the glory days of Ronald Reagan. In Medora, he told Republicans he'll bring back the bold vivid colors of Reagan and Teddy Roosevelt instead of the cool pastels characterized by establishment candidates of both parties.
"I believe I can win because I believe we can set the country on fire," he said.
