It has been months since MSNBC regular Pat Buchanan has appeared on the network, leading many to believe that his days there are over. These rumors were fueled when MSNBC president Phil Griffin hinted that their professional relationship could very well be finished, citing controversial passages from Buchanan’s book, “Suicide of a Superpower.” But in an appearance on Hugh Hewitt’s radio show on Monday night, Buchanan said the issues were medical.
“Well, you know I’ve had some medical issues at the end of the year which were pretty problematic, and so I’ve sort of been out of speaking and things like that,” he said. “I’ve started back writing the column in December, and I’ve got the column going. I’m doing ‘McLaughlin Group.’ But we haven’t gotten up on MSNBC.”
Some reports have suggested MSNBC suspended Buchanan, but he pled ignorance and said he hoped to get back up to speed this month.
“On Drudge Report, somebody said I’ve been suspended,” Buchanan said. “I don’t know anything about that. I hope to get back full up here in January, but I’ve been out for a couple of months.”
Buchanan declined to reveal who he would vote for in the New Hampshire Republican primary, citing MSNBC’s “Olbermann rule” — a reference to the disgraced former host. Olbermann was fired after bouts with network management, particularly over contributing financially to candidates, for which he was suspended. Buchanan said that he didn’t want to end up on CurrentTV.
