REPORT: ‘America first, Second and Third’: Godfather of modern Republican Party’s push retires

As Republicans struggle through a rocky transition from being the party of business to that of the working class, a conservative pundit whose own trajectory anticipated that transformation 30 years ago is hanging up his pen.

Pat Buchanan has retired from his syndicated column ahead of a presidential election that will test the staying power of a more populist and nationalist conservatism and after a midterm election cycle that demonstrated its growing pains.

In addition to his decades of commentary, Buchanan advised Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan as they integrated the “silent majority” into the Republican Party. He ran for the office three times himself, on a platform similar to the one former President Donald Trump was elected on in 2016.

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Buchanan told NPR two days after Trump took office, “What America first means is we put the national interests of the United States and the well-being of our own country and our own people first. Our foreign policy, first and foremost, should be focused on the defense of American freedom, security and rights.”

According to the article, Buchanan started using the phrase “America First — and Second, and Third” as far back as his 1990 National Interest essay.

Editor Ezra Wyrick tweeted Saturday, “I’m going to miss Pat Buchanan’s column. ‘Churchill, Hitler, and The Unnecessary War’ completely changed my perspective on WW2 long before I discovered Rothbard or any of the Austrian writers. A truly great man who deserves to enjoy his golden years!”

I’m going to miss Pat Buchanan’s column. “Churchill, Hitler, and The Unnecessary War” completely changed my perspective on WW2 long before I discovered Rothbard or any of the Austrian writers. A truly great man who deserves to enjoy his golden years!

— Ezra Wyrick (@Ezra4Liberty) January 21, 2023

Writer and author David Marcus wrote, “Pat Buchanan is why I’m a conservative. He’s also a very nice guy who gave me the business once for wearing jeans on the McLaughlin Group. ‘Thanks for dressing up, Dave.’”

Pat Buchanan is why I’m a conservative. He’s also a very nice guy who gave me the business once for wearing jeans on the McLaughlin Group.

“Thanks for dressing up, Dave.” https://t.co/CS0nYrdaBb

— David Marcus (@BlueBoxDave) January 21, 2023

Blogger John William Sherrod said, “America needs Pat Buchanan more than ever now. ‘A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.’”

America needs Pat Buchanan more than ever now.

“A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.” https://t.co/l1aSA8o0La

— John William Sherrod (@jwsherrod) January 21, 2023

Today is a sad day. The great Pat Buchanan has retired from his weekly column at 84 years old. Mr. Buchanan was a 3x presidential candidate & godfather to the America First movement. Put it this way, there would be no Donald Trump presidency without Pat. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/QsJ25VqaFy

— Right-Wing Ronin #MagaWarlord (@WingRonin) January 24, 2023

Stalwart conservative and three-time presidential candidate Patrick J. Buchanan has announced his retirement from writing a weekly syndicated column. https://t.co/HktdGJaKEy pic.twitter.com/gTsVv84MMS

— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) January 20, 2023

Nooo, say it ain’t so!

Always a great interview, columnist. Covered his presidential campaigns and found he was blue collar fave nationwide.

Pat Buchanan retires as Republican Party increasingly channels his ‘America first’ themes https://t.co/4I08HPobqi

— Paul Bedard (@SecretsBedard) January 24, 2023

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