As the political world turns its attention to the upcoming Democratic National Convention, it’s an apt moment to revisit a seminal event in American television history: the fierce debates between conservative stalwart William F. Buckley Jr. and liberal intellectual Gore Vidal during the summer of 1968. These exchanges, immortalized in the 2015 documentary Best of Enemies: Buckley vs. Vidal, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+, offer a poignant reflection on a time of profound political and cultural upheaval.
Set against the backdrop of the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, the debates on ABC were more than mere political commentary. They became a microcosm of the nation’s deep divisions. The year had already been marked by tragedy and turmoil: the Vietnam War raged on, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced he would not seek re-election, and the nation was reeling from the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in April and Senator Robert F. Kennedy in June.
In this volatile climate, Buckley and Vidal, two towering figures of American thought, were chosen to provide televised analysis of the conventions. Buckley, who had gained prominence as the host of Firing Line, a public affairs program where he defended conservative ideals with sharp wit and eloquence, was already a formidable figure in the media landscape. Vidal, equally influential, had achieved success as a novelist and playwright, with works like The Best Man, a drama centered on a fictional presidential nominating convention, and the controversial bestseller Myra Breckenridge, published earlier in 1968.
Despite their opposing ideologies, Buckley and Vidal shared more in common than one might expect. Both were public intellectuals, a breed not often seen today, and each carried himself with a patrician air and a mastery of language that could both inspire and intimidate. Yet, their appearances on ABC were not intended to persuade the audience of their views; rather, the debates devolved into a personal battle, marked by scorn and contempt.
The animosity between the two men was palpable, culminating in a notorious exchange during one of their broadcasts. Vidal, in a calculated jab, labeled Buckley a “crypto-Nazi,” prompting an uncharacteristically enraged Buckley to retort, “Now listen, you queer. Stop calling me a crypto-Nazi, or I’ll sock you in your goddamn face and you’ll stay plastered.” This moment, shocking to viewers and unforgettable in its rawness, laid bare the deep-seated loathing each man harbored for the other.
Reflecting on the debates, documentary co-director Robert Gordon noted in a 2015 PBS interview, “It was an ever-growing attack. We saw in the raw footage within like two minutes of the first debate—they, these high-minded guys, take the low road. It becomes very personal.”
The Buckley-Vidal clashes have since become emblematic of a broader cultural conflict that continues to resonate today. Their debates, more than just a historical curiosity, offer a lens through which to view the enduring tensions within American society. As the nation once again navigates a politically charged atmosphere, the legacy of Buckley and Vidal’s exchanges serves as a stark reminder of the power—and peril—of words.
