Buchanan Equivocates On Third-Party Run

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AllPolitics, March 22) -- The normally straight-shooting Pat Buchanan continues to evade questions about his plans for a third- party run as he campaigns for California's primary on Tuesday.

"As I told you, we're going straight ahead," the conservative pundit told reporters who pressed him on the issue Thursday. He did reiterate his intentions to meet with supporters next week in Virginia to "listen to all the options."

Some Buchanan aides are pushing for a reconciliation with Sen. Robert Dole (R-Kan.) and a possible No. 2 spot on the Dole ticket. That's surprising, given the antagonistic rhetoric from both camps throughout the primary season. But Buchanan, calling the idea "grossly premature," last Tuesday, seemingly hasn't ruled it out.

At least four top Buchanan aides, an anonymous source told the Associated Press, are "foursquare behind the idea" of a third-party run, including campaign manager Bay Buchanan and finance chairman Scott McKenzie. Many Republicans fear such an exodus would lure large numbers of GOP voters away from Dole, virtually assuring a Clinton victory.

"Lots of things can happen between now and November," Buchanan intoned. He's probably right. Texas billionaire Ross Perot has hinted he's energized for another run, and consumer advocate Ralph Nader, running on the Green Party ticket, may stir the waters as well.

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