"Presidential documents provide a unique perspective into the decision making and thought processes of some of the most powerful figures in American government, and the memos of Patrick J. Buchanan, advisor to President Richard Nixon are no exception. Buchanan regularly wrote numerous memos each day, many of which are long and detailed. In them, he gave Nixon advice on communication strategies, press relations, policy positions, and how to navigate the political environment. Throughout his political career, Buchanan has been known for fiery rhetoric that does not mince words regarding his traditional conservative views. The memos he crafted during the Nixon years were written in the same style and tone, either counter-punching against views from other White House advisors Buchanan viewed as too moderate or providing Nixon with a take-no-prisoners approach to every political battle that presented itself. This book offers a close examination of Buchanan's role in the Nixon White House, previously untouchedas a topic of a book-length scholarly study and using White House memos to provide a behind-the-scenes analysis. Nixon first hired Buchanan to help lay the groundwork for the 1968 presidential campaign, and subsequently he became one of Nixon's closest advisors. While many books have been written about the Nixon years, this book gives readers direct access to the memos themselves. Lori Cox Han has sifted through the Nixon Library archives and organized more than 400 memos that best exemplify Buchanan's unique perspectives on nearly all the relevant political issues during his time in the Nixon administration. Introduced and annotated by Cox, Advising Nixon gives us a behind-the-scenes look into one of the most consequential presidencies in our nation's history"--
In 1966 Richard Nixon hired Patrick J. Buchanan, a young editorial writer at the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, to help lay the groundwork for his presidential campaign. Fiercely conservative and a whiz at messaging and media strategy, Buchanan continued with Nixon through his tenure in office, becoming one of the president&;s most important and trusted advisors, particularly on public matters. The copious memos he produced over this period, counseling the president on press relations, policy positions, and political strategy, provide a remarkable behind-the-scenes look into the workings of the Nixon White House&;and a uniquely informed perspective on the development and deployment of ideas and practices that would forever change presidential conduct and US politics.
Of the thousand housed at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library, presidential scholar Lori Cox Han has judiciously selected 135 of Buchanan&;s memos that best exemplify the significant nature and reach of his influence in the Nixon administration. Here, in his now-familiar take-no-prisoners style, Buchanan can be seen advancing his deeply conservative agenda, counterpunching against advisors he considered too moderate, and effectively guiding the president and his administration through a changing, often hostile political environment. On every point of policy and political issue&;foreign and domestic&;through two successful campaigns, Nixon&;s first term, and the fraught months surrounding the Watergate debacle, Buchanan presses his advantage, all the while honing the message that would push conservatism ever rightward in the following years. Expertly edited and annotated by Han, Advising Nixon: The White House Memos of Patrick J. Buchanan offers rare insight into the decision-making and maneuvering of some of the most powerful figures in government&;with lasting consequences for American public life.
Offers rare insight into the decision-making and maneuvering of two of the most powerful figures in government, President Nixon and his advisor Patrick Buchanan&;with lasting consequences for American public life.
