Patrick J. Buchanan, 1938 - Pat Buchanan was born November 2, 1938 in Washington, DC. He attended Georgetown University and received his Bachelor's of Arts degree in English and Philosophy in 1961, and his Master's in 1962 from the Columbia School of Journalism. After graduation, Buchanan got a job as an Editorial Writer for the St. Louis Globe-Dispatch, from 1962 till 1966. He was a syndicated news columnist from 1975 to 1985, and from 1987 to 1999, as well as co-host of CNN's Crossfire talk show from 1987 to 1991, 1992 to 1995 and 1996 to 1999. In 1966, Buchanan began his political career, becoming Executive Assistant to former Vice President Richard Nixon, a position he held until 1969.… He then became President Nixon's speechwriter until 1974, when he was nominated by President Ford to be US Ambassador to South Africa, which was later withdrawn. He was the White House Director of Communications from 1985 to 1987, Founder and Chair of The American Cause from 1993 to 1999, and an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination for President in 1992 and 1996. In October of 1999, he quit the Republican Party and joined the Reform Party.