The Hiller Instinct: Buchanan Announces for President

Buchanan
"We have made history again tonight, my friends--here in New Hampshire!"

It did not compute for many experts, but Buchanan won the 1996 New Hampshire primary, after a campaign that divided as many people as it brought together.

While some protested using words such as "hate and anti-Semitism," Buchanan maintained the same strong tone.

Buchanan
"Cause they are coming. All the peasants are coming with pitchforks after them!"

Today he replayed the image:

Buchanan
"We'll give it everything we've got. Sharpen the pitchforks."

Since 1992, when Buchanan humiliated President Bush here, New Hampshire has always responded to his tough talk, and today he had some more...

Buchanan
"If I get elected, America's trade and foreign policies will no longer be up for bid at White House coffees. And foreign agents will not be sleeping in the Lincoln bedroom. They won't get past the police guards at the White House gates..."

Then he accused Bill Clinton of creating a moral deficit in the White House:

Buchanan
"It is time to call the curtain on the sorry soap opera in the White House, time to restore dignity to our national stage!"

Today's announcement was absolutely routine, which won't bother Buchanan a bit, given what happened the last time he announced here.

In March 1995, protestors accused Buchanan of being a racist and disrupted his announcement. Buchanan's reply:

Buchanan
"They're not from New Hampshire, my friends. They don't represent the people of New Hampshire."

In 2000, Pat Buchanan will get votes, and he will be heard... so lock and load:

Buchanan
"As we say, mount up and ride to the sound of the guns!"