As for the quote from Buchanan's book I really don't have a problem with it as I understand what he is saying. There has never been a perfect human society since the Garden of Eden so when one person cites an example of a better time someone else can always find fault with it. The period before the 60's revolutions is frequently berated for being sexist, racist, etc. and this is one so called arguement used against Buchanan's lament frequently. Funny, I have heard Thomas Sowell and Walter Williams both say how much better life in America was in this very time frame. Obviously they see some virtue worthy of longing for and I seriously doubt they wish for a return of Jim Crow. There may have been some good come out of the last 30-40 years but there has been much change for the worse. Buchanan is right, there are two America's culturally and one is dying off. I can't condemn someone for mourning the change.
About Novak being a Democrat - not sure how that is important but anyway I heard him explain that since he lives in DC and there is no chance Republican candidates could get elected he is a Democrat so his vote has some influence - he tries to keep the worst of 2 Dem's out of office.
Those are the words he wrote and published. Your attempt to wiggle around them is not convincing. I stand by what I said.