Question about the Buckley brothers

[Bigby]

William and James Buckley were both prominent voices in the conservative community. William was an author and the founder of the National Review, while James Buckley was Senator from New York from 1971 - 1977. Both were Republicans. Well, Buckley was part of the New York Conservative Party, but caucused with the Republicans. Assuming one of them ran for President, who would likely be more electable in the primary and the general election? This can be in any Presidential year from the 1968 - 1992 period, as I doubt they would be prominent in an earlier or later period.

[Kingpoleon]

James Buckley might have been able to unseat Ford in 1976 or announce early for 1980 and win there. William Buckley would do better at playing a moderate Buchanan in 1988 or 1992. So, honestly, either. Perhaps something like Buckley/Reagan 1980?

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

James was the one with the personality and interests better suited to electoral politics.

[johnpressman]

William F. Buckley ran for mayor of NYC in 1965. When asked how many votes he expected to get, conservatively speaking, he said "one".  He told the truth, upstaged the Republican and Democratic candidates and polled 13% of the vote. Read "The Unmaking of a Mayor" by him.

I worked for James Buckley for Senator in 1970.  GOP Cong. Charles Goodel was appointed by Rockefeller to fill out RFK's seat and another Congressman, William Ottinger won the Democratic Primary.  James Buckley, running on the Conservative Party line, won in a three way race, gaining 39% of the vote.