Here’s What National Review Founder William F. Buckley Wrote About Trump in 2000

[kpete]

it appears Buckley was way ahead of his time in laying out the case against Trump, for he wrote a lot in this essay about “rampant demagoguery” before laying out his problems with Trump:

Look for the narcissist. The most obvious target in today’s lineup is, of course, Donald Trump. When he looks at a glass, he is mesmerized by its reflection. If Donald Trump were shaped a little differently, he would compete for Miss America. But whatever the depths of self-enchantment, the demagogue has to say something. So what does Trump say? That he is a successful businessman and that that is what America needs in the Oval Office. There is some plausibility in this, though not much. The greatest deeds of American Presidents — midwifing the new republic; freeing the slaves; harnessing the energies and vision needed to win the Cold War — had little to do with a bottom line.

He contrasted Trump––who apparently had talked about self-financing his presidential campaign in that election too––with Steve Forbes, whom Buckley described as “selfless.”

And that wasn’t even the end of it:

In the final analysis, just as the king might look down with terminal disdain upon a courtier whose hypocrisy repelled him, so we have no substitute for relying on the voter to exercise a quiet veto when it becomes more necessary to discourage cynical demagogy, than to advance free health for the kids. That can come later, in another venue; the resistance to a corrupting demagogy should take first priority.

More:
http://www.mediaite.com/online/heres-what-national-review-founder-william-f-buckley-wrote-about-trump-in-2000/

[vanlassie]

1. That's right, free health care for kids should always take a back seat

to having to fend off GOP assholes. As if William F Buckley wasn't a narcissist of the first order himself.

[TexasProgresive]

2. I just read in a novel

So far Trump is not in it personally but the Trump Towers play a part. Stone 588 by Gerald A. Browne was copyrighted in 1986. He wrote, "Springer tilted his head back and sighted up the grouped black shafts of Trump Tower, evil and powerful looking and so tall they threatened to topple over on him."

Makes one wonder what Mr. Browne thought of Trump back in the 80s.

[valerief]

3. Buckley, Vidal was a gazillion times better and smarter than you and we're

all glad he lived longer. You didn't die soon enough for many of us.

We didn't need you to tell us Trump's an asshole. We already knew it.

[TheBlackAdder]

4. Funny: Crypto-fascists who see themselves in others and attack them in a projectionistic manner! nt

[shadowmayor]

5. Heartless

Billy B. ever the non-humanist; devoid of compassion, incapable of empathy, and racist to the core. His later recantations were merely cover to his enduring belief in elitism, that the wealthy class deserved more and that the chattering masses, especially the colored people were less worthy and less human.

[MelissaB]

6. And Buckley was one to talk. I saw him speak when I was a college student.

2.5 hours non-stop. No breaks for bathroom. Some of the professors noted his arrogance.

[Shankapotomus]

7. This might be the final showdown for America

The choice between the two extremes of:

Narcissism and Superficiality vs. Substance and Integrity

Trump vs. Sanders

No matter your political party, which way do you want to go?

[Mendocino]

9. A crossroads event

Trump is the beer and circus candidate.

[jomin41]

8. I wonder how many people have

avoided getting an education because of WFB?