Rachel Maddow Duels With Pat Buchanan On Affirmative Action (VIDEO)

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Rachel Maddow got into a fierce argument with Pat Buchanan about affirmative action and the Supreme Court nomination of Sonia Sotomayor on Thursday night.

The epic battle included accusations, interruptions, and strong feelings with Maddow incredulous that Buchanan could not bring himself to admit that discrimination might play a part in the fact that 108 out of 110 U.S. Supreme Court justices have been white.

Buchanan said he considered Sotomayor unqualified and called her an "affirmative-action appointment" by Obama. When Maddow pressed him on why he was critical of affirmative action, Buchanan launched into a vigorous defense of whites who have been discriminated against.

When asked why the overwhelming majority of justices have been white, Buchanan declined to explicitly cite discrimination, but explained that "White men were 100% of the people that wrote the Constitution, 100% of the people that signed the Declaration of Independence, 100% of the people who died at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, probably close to 100% of the people who died at Normandy. This has been a country built basically by white folks, who were 90% of the nation in 1960 when I was growing up and the other 10% were African-Americans who had been discriminated against. That's why."

When Maddow asked whether the reason that 108 out of 110 justice were white is because "white people deserved to have those positions," Buchanan answered: "A lot of people get up there for a lot of reasons."

An incredulous Maddow continued: "I would hope that you would see that picking 108 out of 110 white justices of the Supreme Court means that other people are not being appropriately considered... and the reason we have affirmative action is you recognize that the fact that people were discriminated against for hundreds of years means that you sort of gamed the system unless you give other people a leg up..."

When Buchanan began to interrupt her, Maddow said, "Hold on, I let you talk for a long time."

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Later, Buchanan compared the historically white make-up of the Supreme Court to an all-black track team or all-white hockey team, asking Maddow, "Why do you assume discrimination simply because you got one component on the Supreme Court... Where's the genius who is a woman who you think is a genius? Go for her..."

When Buchanan referenced the white firefighters who Sotomayor ruled against in a court ruling, claiming that they "are victims of that evil affirmative action," Maddow replied, "I couldn't disagree with you more."

Later, Buchanan attacked Maddow for being out of touch and seemed to slam judges who support affirmative action when he stated, "You know what they ought to do? They ought to defend the rights of white working-class folks."

Maddow cut him off and snapped, "I don't need a lecture from you about whether or not I know, what I think about working class Americans... For you to privilege race... and say that what we need to tap politically is white people's racial grievance, you're playing with fire and dating yourself."

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Comments

[JakeMontero]

It was great television. too bad no one saw it.

[dollbaby]

Hey I saw it and so did my sister.

[CynAnne]

Ah, you still had several days worth of "Blah, blah, blah..snort, grumble, fume.." left on your account, Jake..that's cheating (aka typical Publican't)..! ;) ...

[joanrimart]

Dear Mr. Buchanan: I am Latino, and speak Spanish too, born and raised in South America. Yet much whiter than you; blond blue eyes etc…how do you like them tomatoes? My family has lived in SA for ten generations or more…I guess we preserved our purity very well. Of course we too built those countries down there, with our privileges well protected by constitutions that declared those different from us less than human… a truly sign of genius and humanity.

[joanrimart]

You know Mr. Pat Buchanan, you are just what we call a Black Irish...he,he...you are not to be trusted. You are a half-white!

[Shayrae]

Wouldn't it be ironic if Pat found out that he had a drop of black blood?

[hollace]

, let,s face it , it,s getting really boring and I miss real news. It,s my dime ....I,d like to see sponsor list roll like credit at end of their unstable Hate filled tantrums. Who monitarily benefits from hearing these guys speak so low of other Americans.

[soundping]

If you look at the level of minorities in the republican party you'll see the truth.

[JillScumber]

Steele said yesterday he 's got the slaw and the chops, y'all come. that is a quote. he is a one-man wrecking crew who will repel people of all kinds from the Repiglicans. Go, Steele.

[Peaceisnecessary]

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/7/18/754883/-A-history-lesson-for-Pat-Buchanan
Sending this Pat Buchanan. Beautifully written, please read.

[karinova]

Nice!
Thanks for the link.
I'm not always a fan of the DK, but truly, that was awesome.
Actually got me choked up a little bit.

I hope at least one descendant of the people Buchanan so casually erased from history publicly demands an apology from him. I'm NOT a descendant, but I have half a mind to demand it myself. These people literally DIED for rights they didn't even HAVE.
How DARE he!

[dollbaby]

EXCELLENT

[Roger Strong]

Sometimes Pat sounds as r@cist as Jamie Foxx.

[jonjon66]

sometimes?

[Cooper1608]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/7/18/754883/-A-history-lesson-for-Pat-Buchanan

[karinova]

Gotta love how 108 of 110 justices have been white because well, you know, back in the 60s, only 10% of the population was black. (Note to Pat: 10% of 110 is not 2.)

So... what, 108 of 110 have been men because back in Pat's day, women were only 10% of the population?

[Dots]

"Who, me?" he innocently hisses...
Venom coming from the serpent lips of the "nice old Grandpa" type.

[MESGAIN26]

Here's a petition to ask MSNBC to fire him: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/ask-msnbc-to-fire-pat-buchanan Ask MSNBC to Fire Pat Buchanan

[jackything]

You know, I was shortly tempted to sign this but, before I hit the link, I realized that this is just censorship pure and simple. As much as I detest the bile coming out of Pat Buchanan's mouth, I still have to stand up for his right to say it. There's always the on/off button. Let's get a grip, people. Are we not more tolerant than Pat Buchanan's compatriots?

[dollbaby]

We can't do that petition thing.........Fox would give him his own show to spew his racist words on.

[JudeKallok]

As long as "white males" single themselves out and fear for their survival -- they miss the point and the boat. The us-against-them attitude is exactly what made white males us and all the rest of us them. To those white men who fear the loss of their privilege -- the rest of "us/them" are aiming to take what we are entitled to -- we are not taking it from you -- we are taking what is rightfully ours.

[karinova]

Exactly.
Equality is, by definition, not a zero-sum game.

Some people, I think, see equality for non-white and non-males as something that takes away THEIR rights. What rights? The exclusive right to be mediocre and still do okay/be respected/get that job/not reflect poorly on your entire race/gender? The right to discriminate? Newsflash, y'all: you don't have those rights, and you never DID.

[jackything]

The entire problem with the whole race issue is that while we down here in the working world piss and moan about who is superior to who, we are keeping each other from uniting to tackle the real problems we face every day, like the corporate takeover of this country. Let's keep our eyes on who the real oppressors are , people.

[Cooper1608]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/7/18/754883/-A-history-lesson-for-Pat-Buchanan

[flyovercountry1]

after all of this "debate", it still remains that white men have to give minorities a leg up...like it or not, there was a group of well educated, well meaning, forward thinking, selfless, white men who founded this country. Were they behind on a few ideas(equality for all)....absolutely. But, they formed the greatest framework for governance ever conceived. Too many HuffPon readers can't come to terms with the fact that white men founded this country so they got to write the rules. We've ammended and reparated as much as we can. Now let us all depend our own work ethic and innovation combined with a free market system to see who can succeed.

As BHO recently said......"NO EXCUSES"

[stateretiree]

This was done after they got rid of the Native Americans, right! The people who were here before the white man. What if minorities treated us as we treated the Native Americans.

[Roger Strong]

Hey, f00l, why not start with ancient Romans, dullard.

[whitey whiteman]

Unfortunately there is no such thing as a "native" American. All humans are immigrants to this land including indians. The term ""native" American" is nothing more than a political/emotional powerplay.

[Cooper1608]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/7/18/754883/-A-history-lesson-for-Pat-Buchanan

[dimplesmile7]

"white men have to give minorities a leg up"?

Then what was the civil rights movement and Jim Crow laws all about. Yeah right that was some leg up. Just let us know when your ready to give that next leg up so we can get out of the way. Exit stage left!

[MontanaSouth]

you don't get it. The free market system isn't free and the system, until affirmative action, did not allow the vast majority of individuals to success regardless of their work ethic and innovation. Prior to the civil rights movement and affirmative action, there was little a minority could do the break the barrier placed in their way by the white male who felt entitled. It is not a time to go backward!

[Cooper1608]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/7/18/754883/-A-history-lesson-for-Pat-Buchanan

[karinova]

"...white men have to give minorities a leg up."

Are you a white male? If so, your privilege is showing.
All white men need to do-- all they EVER needed to do-- was not actively stand in the way. We don't need a leg up, we need for people to stop greasing the handholds behind them.

The idea that white males need to "give" equality to non-white non-males grows from the idea that freedom and equality belong to them. It doesn't, and it never did. It's not theirs to "give." Think about it.

[jackything]

That's beautiful, karinova!

[jonjon66]

keep your paternal racist remarks to your personal friends buddy.

[Cooper1608]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/7/18/754883/-A-history-lesson-for-Pat-Buchanan

[dimplesmile7]

The white men were in their glory days for a long time. It is hard for them to see minorities in key top positions. Pat carry on like a white man has never had an opportunity in this country at all. Well, what you are seeing is paranoia from loosing the only thing that worked for years racism and white male privileges. Pat is actually having a meltdown in front of the whole country. He can not figure out what to do, so he resorts to downgrading any efforts made by minorities and will never admit a dark person may be qualified too. Pat has been wrong about everything. I remember him screaming on TV that a black man can never be president. Wrong again Pat. White people need to realize that all ethnic groups just want a fair chance to be successful. No matter how you look at it, the demographics of this country is and will continue to change. The world is not going to stop evolving because you don't like it. BTW Pat did you know this country was also built by slaves. It was never a white country because our native brothers and sister were here first. We all deserve credit Pat, not just white men.

[spacecreep]

the good thing about pat buchanan, he is showing all of younger american what the white american believed and strove for not too long ago....this is no different that what the klan teachs now and taught then...these people are and were in policy making positions.... look at the make-up in the senate... over half are white raised in pats generation and based their politics on this....pat's started in the nixon whitehouse.... the bushes ,cheneys and half of the senate built their political career on this..
the world watches on the internet as these people show without a doubt how they feel about anybody that's not white..... this kind of talk affect both domestic and national security..
do you think that the rest of the world will respond positively if these racist regain political power in american.... they put us all at risk.

[xlntcat]

MSNBC is going to let that old radical criminal go too far and they are going to get sued. First amendment rights do have limitations. He has openly admitted to committing voter fraud in the past and has affiliation with rightwing extremists groups. Giving him an open platform to advocate racism needs to be challenged.

[bitohistory]

Please get your understanding of the First Ammend. right. "Government shall make no laws...."

[youpeoplearefunny]

I love when Rachel and Pat debate. They are both very smart people (don't hate me for saying that) who have very strong and opposite beliefs. They still respect each other and are civil. I for one think we need more of this kind of civil and respectful debate in this country.

[MaryK2924]

I respected Buchanan in the past, disagreed on all subjects, but respected, not any more. If you have seen the statements he has made about Judge Sotomayor, it turned my stomach, he firmly believes that she only got where she is thru a "free pass" affirmative action, and is not remotely qualified to do anything, probably feels the same about President Obama. His type is very very dated, thank God, and I think he embarrasses himself.

[karinova]

Same here.
He's always been on the edge, but the last of my grudging respect for him went right out the window when he started going off in such an appallingly throwback way. Seems like he's made more horrifying public comments about race, women and class in the last few months than he did in the previous 5 years combined. Is he aware that it's not the 1960s anymore? And that a good chunk of the population does not consider those the good old days?

Pat is one of the last Neanderthals.
The climate has been slowly changing, but he cannot adapt. Modern humans have taken over, and he doesn't even realize he's about to be extinct.

[carolinhouston]

Yet he's "goo-goo/ga-ga" for Sarah Palin to be president.

[BlueDog1]

Pat it's time to go sit down and write your bio. He must have his contract opening up for extension all we can do is hope GE lets him go.......................................one percent does not make you an expert now or at any other time.......................