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Conservative heavyweight Pat Buchanan starred on the Rachel Maddow show and engaged the host on the issue of affirmative action. Contending that Supreme Court Justice nominee Sonia Sotomayor is a candidate only because of affirmative action, Buchanan was denounced by Maddow as representing a “dated” and dangerous view of politics. Analysts of the short 10 minute debate have suggested that Buchanan may have appealed to many white people hurt by the recession, but that he was simply wrong about the facts regarding Sotomayor. Others, however, are labeling Buchanan as a racist, and are wondering publicly why the conservative, with a history of making divisive comments, is still given a platform to speak.

To see the debate yourself, watch the following video:

Discussion Questions:

1.  Why were Buchanan’s comments considered to be racist?  Do you agree with that evaluation?

2.  Assuming that Buchanan’s comments were ill-informed and racist, should he be fired from his position with MSNBC?

3.  What is the danger of giving racist ideology a place in television?