MANCHESTER – Conservative commentator Pat Buchanan was back in the Granite State last night and mingling with operatives who backed him during his three Presidential campaigns.

About two dozen friends and acquaintances attended the catered reunion at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Manchester.

Buchanan has said he will not seek the Presidency in 2008. His wife, Shelley, said last night's reunion was merely a get-together for old friends.

Winner of the 1996 Republican primary, Buchanan is in town for tonight's New Hampshire Political Library awards dinner, also at the Radisson.

The library is recognizing Buchanan, along with three other award recipients, for long-standing support and advocacy of the New Hampshire Primary.

The other recipients are former Sen. Gary Hart, a Colorado Democrat; Andrew Card, former chief of staff to President George W. Bush; and Jill Zuckman, national correspondent for the Chicago Tribune.