Buchanan Downplays Taxpayer Party Invite

SAN YSIDRO, Calif. (CNN, March 20) -- The U.S. Taxpayers Party today asked Pat Buchanan to be its candidate this fall, but Buchanan said he's reluctant to leave the Republican Party.

"I was offered that nomination if I would join that party a long time ago and I decided the way to go was in the Republican party and bring back the Perot voters and the lost Democrats, Reagan Democrats, back to the GOP and I'm still going in that direction," Buchanan said.(165K AIFF or WAV sound)

Buchanan, interviewed on CNN's "Inside Politics," predicted Sen. Robert Dole would eventually court his followers and adopt their ideas.

"I really think Sen. Dole is moving in our direction on a lot of issues," Buchanan said. "He's talking about corporate greed. He's talking about illegal immigration. He's talking about the export of American jobs. I think he's taking a second look at these trade treaties.

"I think we're going to win the battle for the heart and soul and the future of the Republican party even if we may lose the nomination and the presidency," he added.(198K AIFF or WAV sound)

Buchanan said he expects to be given a prime-time slot at the Republican National Convention in August. "Coming into the convention with three to four million votes, I think I will deserve and obviously be given a prime-time speaking slot," he said.

Related Site:

The Unofficial U.S. Taxpayers Party WWW Home Page

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