Opinion. In 1965 at the Cambridge Union, Buckley debated James Baldwin on the topic “The American Dream Is at the Expense of the American Negro.” It was an extraordinary exchange and one of the few moments when Buckley faced an opponent more eloquent in word and elegant and appearance. James Baldwin slaughtered William Buckley; at the conclusion of the debate, 544 supported the Baldwin argument and 164 the Buckley side.
