ASHINGTON - In his first news conference as a Reform Party candidate, Pat Buchanan accused both major parties of committing ''bipartisan betrayal'' in trade accords and said Americans will demand that he be included in presidential debates.
The 30-minute session yesterday underscored Buchanan's strategy to forge a coalition that includes blue-collar Democrats and takes advantage of voters who are disenchanted with America's political system.
''The reason we believe we can do well in debates is my belief that we have a vision for this country,'' said Buchanan, who left the GOP 10 days ago and is not assured of winning the Reform Party nomination.
''We have ideas that are enormously attractive to millions, perhaps tens of millions of Americans who feel left out and left behind and voiceless in this system, and I'm articulating those on television and radio, and by the time we get to that debate, they're going to demand that at least we get a hearing in that debate.''
His sister and top adviser, Bay Buchanan, said lawyers were studying possible legal action in case her brother wins the nomination and is denied a spot in presidential debates.
''We are talking to lawyers about this,'' she said. ''I do not want to go the route of a lawsuit, but I want to be ready.''
Roger Stone, consultant for potential Reform Party rival Donald Trump, said such talk is premature. ''I don't think he's going to win the Reform Party nomination so I don't think he'll be qualified for the debates,'' Stone said.
