You are right. Vidal got him out of his element with the Nazi comment. Many of his Firing Line discussions throughout the decades are on Youtube. It’s a very good mental exercise where you can pick your episodes depending on the guest and subject. You gotta admit the discussion level is more than a little above Free Republic.
Love watching Buckley in his awkward, thoughtful and ultimately devastating arguments. In todays age it’s almost painful to watch him slowly eviscerate people. I would have Roddie Pipered them.
I discovered Ernest Van den Haag through Buckley’s firing line. Have several of his debate books that I’ve enjoyed over the years. Thanks, WFB!