BUCHANAN TO RUSSERT: 'GIVE ME GORE'S CHAIR' Today, Reform Party Presidential candidate Patrick J. Buchanan asked Meet the Press host Tim Russert to take Al Gore's empty chair in next Tuesday's debate with George W. Bush. "We have a right to be heard, for millions out there share our views and values," Buchanan wrote to Russert. " They are, thus far, victims of a media blackout in what is supposed to be America's debate." A full copy of Mr. Buchanan's letter follows. September 7, 2000 Tim Russert Meet the Press 4001 Nebraska Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20016 Dear Tim: As Al Gore has said he will leave his chair empty at the NBC presidential debate, Tuesday, September 13, and Mr. Bush has said, repeatedly "I'm showing up," let me offer a solution. Let me, as candidate of the Reform Party, take Mr. Gore's empty chair, and debate Governor Bush. Surely, the American people should not be denied the right to see, up close and together, the men seeking their highest office -- merely because of the juvenile antics or game-playing of the Beltway parties. Ignored thus far in this vapid, sterile, boring, campaign are issues of enormous import to the nation. Among them: · The bankruptcy of a foreign policy that has us permanently committed to wage war all over the world, on a defense budget that is a smaller share of GDP than at the time of Pearl Harbor. · How do we stop the illegal invasion from Mexico? And what levels of immigration can we sustain without facing the breakup and Balkanization that threaten countries all over the world? · What should be the character of a new U.S. Supreme Court? · Is Mr. Bush right to endorse a Clinton-Gore trade policy that has left this nation with $450 billion merchandise trade deficits? · Is the Clinton-Gore China policy one of wise engagement, or abject appeasement at the command of Big Money, which will lead to probable confrontation or conflict by decade's end? · Presidents Bush and Clinton said that they raised taxes "to balance the budget." With the budget in balance, should the Bush-Clinton tax hikes be repealed, and rates returned to the bipartisan Reagan tax rates of 1986? · Has the U.S. government any role in educating children; or is this, like welfare, a state and local responsibility? · Has America -- as its courts purge God from all its public institutions and authorize the premeditated murder of the unborn, at the instant of their birth -- ceased to be a good and Godly nation? · Is the UN drive to become a global government, on display today at Turtle Bay, sufficient cause to consider U.S. withdrawal, or its removal from U.S. soil? Mr. Bush supports $750 billion in new spending; Mr. Gore some $2 trillion. I believe the U.S. Government is too large and consumes too much of America's wealth. We are the last small-government, low-tax, America First party left, Tim. We have a right to be heard; for millions out there share our views and values; and they are, thus far, victims of a media blackout in what is supposed to be America's Debate. Awaiting your reply, I am yours sincerely, Patrick J. Buchanan http://gopatgo2000.com/r_e.asp?f_p=55789&f_e=rwb If you would like to be removed from this e-mail list, follow the link above.
