Pat Buchanan to Newsweek's Clift: 'The President Told You to Cool the Rhetoric, Eleanor'

January 16th, 2011 10:15 PM

For fans of PBS's "McLaughlin Group" that have for years put up with Eleanor Clift screeching and rudely interrupting other guests, a marvelous moment happened Friday that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

While the group discussed gun laws in the wake of the Arizona tragedy, the Newsweek columnist started talking over Pat Buchanan who finally quipped to the delight of all in attendance, "The President told you to cool the rhetoric now Eleanor" (video follows with transcript and commentary):

PAT BUCHANAN: I was in an argument, people came when, after this happened, I was talking to some young guys. They said it's too bad there wasn't some guy that had a concealed weapon to take that S.O.B. out.

ELEANOR CLIFT, NEWSWEEK: (Screeching as usual): There was one gentleman quoted who was there with a concealed weapon…

BUCHANAN: There’s two sides to this argument Eleanor.

CLIFT: …who said he didn’t know who to shoot and almost shot the guy who was rescuing…

BUCHANAN: The President told you to cool the rhetoric now Eleanor.

(LAUGHTER)

Bravo, Pat. You made my day.