Al Gore was in a quandary. Does he use Bill Clinton to help his campaign or does he run and hide from the president? Clinton was popular amongst Democrats and was seen as the savior of the party. On the other hand, Republicans and Independents viewed him as a self indulgent man child. After easily defeating Bill Bradley for the Democratic nomination, Gore decided to turn his back on his president.
George W. Bush had problems of his own. He had the pesky John McCain to deal with. After a bitter campaign that left wounds that still exist today, Bush beat “The Straight Talk Express.” Bush campaigned as a “Compassionate Conservative.” The moniker was designed to draw a contrast between himself and the Newt Gingrich wing of the party. The term reinforced his conservative credentials and his reform message. Bush promised to restore dignity to the White House. Meanwhile, Gore was running from Monica’s messy dress. Gore decided to make a hard left. He ran a populist campaign. The Veep bragged he was for the people and not the powerful at the same time Bush promised to lead and make hard decisions as opposed to dodging them. Both campaigns were taking swipes at Clinton.
Each man made interesting choices for Vice President. Gore chose moderate Senator Joe Lieberman from Connecticut. Lieberman was well respected and liked by both sides. Bush selected the then-well respected Dick Cheney for his #2. Cheney served as the Defense Secretary under Bush 41 and had loads of experience. Lieberman would balance Gore’s liberalism while Cheney would balance Bush’s lack of foreign policy and Washington experience.
The two Vice Presidential candidates performed well on the stump and during the debates. Meanwhile, the Presidential debates opened a gash Gore could not patch up. During the first debate, he sighed impatiently whenever Governor Bush spoke. During another debate, Gore wore so much make-up, he looked like a drag queen.
Gore’s populist message combined with his debate performances and occasional delusional gaffe (I took the initiative and created the internet) cost Gore the election, but it was close. Bush held a 5 point lead going into the final weekend when word of a DUI back in the 1970s came out. On election day, Bush won 30 states, but Gore won the popular vote by a smidge. Had Gore run a better campaign, he could have won a triumph similar to George HW Bush’s in 1988. Instead, the election was a draw that came down to Florida.
The media declared Florida for Gore and then retracted when they discovered the panhandle was still voting. Then, they declared for Bush. Then, they undeclared everything. Gore conceded at first. Then, he changed his mind and un-conceded. This led to a recount.
After the recount, Bush won, but the Democrats wanted another one. Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris tried to certify for Bush, but the case ended up in court. The Florida Supreme Court ignored election law and ordered another recount. Bush continually won the recounts being held in Democratic precincts. For some reason, the recounts only occurred in Democratic precincts and not all of Florida. Eventually, the case went to the U.S. Supreme Court. In a 5-4 decision, the Supremes ordered an end to the recount. Bush won and Gore conceded again.
The Democrats could not win in 2000. The Florida Legislature was going to send results for Bush to the US Congress. If the Democrats had cast enough votes for Gore after the fact, the US Congress would have had two sets of returns. The Republicans controlled the House of Representatives and would have certified for Bush. The only reason for the Democrats to contest Florida and demand recounts in Democratic only areas was to injure Bush before he assumed office in the hopes of creating a lame duck. They failed. After the election, Gore would become the world’s savior. John McCain would finally become the GOP nominee for president. Joe Lieberman was expelled from the Democratic Party for making too much sense. Dick Cheney became the most unpopular governmental figure ever...at least until Nancy Pelosi became speaker!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
The Boomers Roll Into Washington
The Soviet Union collapsed, Iraq had been expelled from Kuwait, Panama declared war on America and was trounced, and the US economy had slightly slowed down. The incumbent president was George HW Bush. History looks at him more favorably today than in 1992. In 1992, he was the man that went against his "No New Taxes" pledge, oversaw a ballooning deficit, and ignored problems at home. With voter discontent high, Bush was challenged by commentator Pat Buchanan for the Republican nomination. Although Bush defeated Buchanan, the right wing populist had wounded the incumbent President much like Reagan hurt Ford in 1976 and Kennedy hurt Carter in 1980.
The Democratic field was a mess. In 1991, no one wanted to challenge Bush. The President's approval rating was over 90%. The Democratic field narrowed to three. Governor Jerry Brown of California (aka Governor Moonbeam), Massachusetts Senator Paul Tsongas (whom many wondered why he was not a Republican), and Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton. The Arkansas Governor was plagued by stories of womanizing and draft dodging. On top of this, his wife annoyed many people and scared others. The couple talked about a "two for one" deal. Vote for Bill and get Hillary too.
The Governor was accused of a decade long affair with a lounge singer. Clinton went on 60 Minutes and diffused the Gennifer Flowers scandal. Her credibility was hurt when it was revealed she received money for her story. In New Hampshire, Clinton finished second to Paul Tsongas and declared victory. All of a sudden, he was the "comeback kid" and had the momentum. He sailed to victory in the Democratic primaries.
Then came Perot. Businessman and all around strange person Ross Perot decided to attack the deficit and both parties. He never really gave specifics, but he was quick with the one liners and his graphs and charts. At one point, he led both Bush and Clinton in the polls. Then, he pulled out claiming something about a Republican hit squad and his daughter's wedding. To this day, no one is sure what Perot was talking about. For some reason, he re-entered the race, but his momentum, and novelty, was gone. Perot's most amusing mistake was his selection of Admiral James Stockdale as vice president. During the Vice Presidential Debate, he uttered the classic, "who am I? Why am I here?" Senator Gore and Vice President Quayle looked even more stupefied than the two of them normally do.
During the general election, Clinton hit hard. He blamed Bush for "the worst economy in fifty years." (In reality, the worst since Carter). James Carville coined the term "It's the economy stupid!" Clinton had to deal with stories of womanizing and drug use ("I didn't inhale"). The Democrats ran on the economy. Ross Perot ran on the deficit. Bush ran on experience.
The media played a major role in 1992 by contrasting the candidates and attacking the economy. They tended to portray Bush as old and out of touch while showing Clinton as young and vigorous. Also, they withheld good economic news until after the election. They also played up some suspiciously timed Iran-Contra indictments that came right before the election.
Despite this tide, Bush remained even in the polls with Clinton going into election day. However, when the final count was done, Clinton won with 43% of the vote. Ross Perot siphoned votes away from Bush and got Clinton elected.
Four years later, Clinton cruised to the nomination. The Republicans nominated Senator Bob Dole of Kansas. Dole ran a dreadful campaign. At the eleventh hour, he decided to campaign for 24 straight hours to show he was physically fit. Clinton spent the better part of 1995 and 1996 attacking Dole and the Republicans and had created a narrative that was hard to defeat. Additionally, Dole ran out of money prior to the convention and could not fight back adequately. On the other hand, Clinton was a fund raising machine. Clinton won re-election, but Americans were wary of him. He could not break the 50% mark in the popular vote.
George H.W. Bush went into retirement, jumped out of airplanes, and watched his son be elected president in 2000. Bill Clinton ran the most scandal ridden administration ever, was impeached, rebuilt his reputation through charitable work (some done with Bush 41), and then watched it all unravel during the 2008 primaries. Pat Buchanan is now a MSDNC commentator. Paul Tsongas died of cancer. No one is sure what became of Jerry Brown. Bob Dole went on to do Viagra commercials. Ross Perot ran for president in 1996, formed the Reform Party, and then returned to his home planet. Had he not mucked things up in 1992, then no Bill Clinton, no impeachment, no high gas prices, and probably no 911.
Tags: Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, Politics, Presidential Election, 1992, 1996
The Democratic field was a mess. In 1991, no one wanted to challenge Bush. The President's approval rating was over 90%. The Democratic field narrowed to three. Governor Jerry Brown of California (aka Governor Moonbeam), Massachusetts Senator Paul Tsongas (whom many wondered why he was not a Republican), and Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton. The Arkansas Governor was plagued by stories of womanizing and draft dodging. On top of this, his wife annoyed many people and scared others. The couple talked about a "two for one" deal. Vote for Bill and get Hillary too.
The Governor was accused of a decade long affair with a lounge singer. Clinton went on 60 Minutes and diffused the Gennifer Flowers scandal. Her credibility was hurt when it was revealed she received money for her story. In New Hampshire, Clinton finished second to Paul Tsongas and declared victory. All of a sudden, he was the "comeback kid" and had the momentum. He sailed to victory in the Democratic primaries.
Then came Perot. Businessman and all around strange person Ross Perot decided to attack the deficit and both parties. He never really gave specifics, but he was quick with the one liners and his graphs and charts. At one point, he led both Bush and Clinton in the polls. Then, he pulled out claiming something about a Republican hit squad and his daughter's wedding. To this day, no one is sure what Perot was talking about. For some reason, he re-entered the race, but his momentum, and novelty, was gone. Perot's most amusing mistake was his selection of Admiral James Stockdale as vice president. During the Vice Presidential Debate, he uttered the classic, "who am I? Why am I here?" Senator Gore and Vice President Quayle looked even more stupefied than the two of them normally do.
During the general election, Clinton hit hard. He blamed Bush for "the worst economy in fifty years." (In reality, the worst since Carter). James Carville coined the term "It's the economy stupid!" Clinton had to deal with stories of womanizing and drug use ("I didn't inhale"). The Democrats ran on the economy. Ross Perot ran on the deficit. Bush ran on experience.
The media played a major role in 1992 by contrasting the candidates and attacking the economy. They tended to portray Bush as old and out of touch while showing Clinton as young and vigorous. Also, they withheld good economic news until after the election. They also played up some suspiciously timed Iran-Contra indictments that came right before the election.
Despite this tide, Bush remained even in the polls with Clinton going into election day. However, when the final count was done, Clinton won with 43% of the vote. Ross Perot siphoned votes away from Bush and got Clinton elected.
Four years later, Clinton cruised to the nomination. The Republicans nominated Senator Bob Dole of Kansas. Dole ran a dreadful campaign. At the eleventh hour, he decided to campaign for 24 straight hours to show he was physically fit. Clinton spent the better part of 1995 and 1996 attacking Dole and the Republicans and had created a narrative that was hard to defeat. Additionally, Dole ran out of money prior to the convention and could not fight back adequately. On the other hand, Clinton was a fund raising machine. Clinton won re-election, but Americans were wary of him. He could not break the 50% mark in the popular vote.
George H.W. Bush went into retirement, jumped out of airplanes, and watched his son be elected president in 2000. Bill Clinton ran the most scandal ridden administration ever, was impeached, rebuilt his reputation through charitable work (some done with Bush 41), and then watched it all unravel during the 2008 primaries. Pat Buchanan is now a MSDNC commentator. Paul Tsongas died of cancer. No one is sure what became of Jerry Brown. Bob Dole went on to do Viagra commercials. Ross Perot ran for president in 1996, formed the Reform Party, and then returned to his home planet. Had he not mucked things up in 1992, then no Bill Clinton, no impeachment, no high gas prices, and probably no 911.
Tags: Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, Politics, Presidential Election, 1992, 1996
The Massachusetts Miracle Worker!
Thursday, August 7, 2008Subject: The Massachusetts Miracle WorkerTime: 4:54:00 PM EDTAuthor: cicero390 Edit Entry Delete Entry
The Democrats got thumped in 1984. Americans no longer wanted The New Deal or Great Society. So, the Democrats looked for a new kind of Democrat to run. They turned to Mario Cuomo. He said no thanks. They turned to Gary Hart. He got caught with his pants down with Donna Rice. The primaries came down to Al Gore, Dick Gephardt, Jesse Jackson, and Michael Dukakis. Dukakis won six primaries on Super Tuesday to Gore's five and became the front runner. Dukakis gained momentum and became the nominee.
On the Republican side, Vice President Bush began as the front runner, but stumbled early allowing Senator Bob Dole an opening. A negative ad run by the Bush campaign portrayed Dole as a tax raiser. Dole lost his temper and went on TV to tell Bush to "stop lying about my record." Bush won the nomination after that gaffe.
Dukakis led Bush at the outset of the general election. Bush appeared wimpy and wishy washy compared to Reagan. Bush went on TV to attack Dan Rather to gain street cred with the right. Then, his campaign attacked Dukakis as a dangerously out of touch liberal. When Dukakis admitted to being a "card carrying member of the ACLU," the campaign used it.
The Bush campaign's biggest setback was their choice of Vice President. Dan Quayle did not make a good first impression and looked like he belonged at the little kids table when he debated Lloyd Bentsen. When Quayle compared his experience in Congress to John Kennedy's (Quayle-12 years/Kennedy-14 years), Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Bentsen responded, "Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy." (Editor's note: Dan Quayle was more qualified for president than Barack Obama).
The contrast between Bentsen and Quayle was striking. So was the contrast between Dukakis and Bentsen. Some thought the two should reverse their spots on the ticket as Dukakis made more errors. The Massachusetts Governor made a campaign stop and got filmed in a tank. He looked like Snoopy and it became a TV ad.
TV finished Dukakis. While governor, he supported weekend paroles for prisoners. One convicted murderer, Willie Horton, got out and committed armed robbery and rape. Senator Al Gore brought it to America's attention and it became a deadly campaign ad.
Bush-Quayle won in a landslide. George Bush became the first vice-president since Martin Van Buren to win the presidency. He would go on and lead America through it's most successful war in history.
The Democrats got thumped in 1984. Americans no longer wanted The New Deal or Great Society. So, the Democrats looked for a new kind of Democrat to run. They turned to Mario Cuomo. He said no thanks. They turned to Gary Hart. He got caught with his pants down with Donna Rice. The primaries came down to Al Gore, Dick Gephardt, Jesse Jackson, and Michael Dukakis. Dukakis won six primaries on Super Tuesday to Gore's five and became the front runner. Dukakis gained momentum and became the nominee.
On the Republican side, Vice President Bush began as the front runner, but stumbled early allowing Senator Bob Dole an opening. A negative ad run by the Bush campaign portrayed Dole as a tax raiser. Dole lost his temper and went on TV to tell Bush to "stop lying about my record." Bush won the nomination after that gaffe.
Dukakis led Bush at the outset of the general election. Bush appeared wimpy and wishy washy compared to Reagan. Bush went on TV to attack Dan Rather to gain street cred with the right. Then, his campaign attacked Dukakis as a dangerously out of touch liberal. When Dukakis admitted to being a "card carrying member of the ACLU," the campaign used it.
The Bush campaign's biggest setback was their choice of Vice President. Dan Quayle did not make a good first impression and looked like he belonged at the little kids table when he debated Lloyd Bentsen. When Quayle compared his experience in Congress to John Kennedy's (Quayle-12 years/Kennedy-14 years), Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Bentsen responded, "Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy." (Editor's note: Dan Quayle was more qualified for president than Barack Obama).
The contrast between Bentsen and Quayle was striking. So was the contrast between Dukakis and Bentsen. Some thought the two should reverse their spots on the ticket as Dukakis made more errors. The Massachusetts Governor made a campaign stop and got filmed in a tank. He looked like Snoopy and it became a TV ad.
TV finished Dukakis. While governor, he supported weekend paroles for prisoners. One convicted murderer, Willie Horton, got out and committed armed robbery and rape. Senator Al Gore brought it to America's attention and it became a deadly campaign ad.
Bush-Quayle won in a landslide. George Bush became the first vice-president since Martin Van Buren to win the presidency. He would go on and lead America through it's most successful war in history.
Revolution!!!
Jimmy Carter was a failure. He had the worst presidency since James Buchanan (1857-1861). Inflation and unemployment combined to make the "misery index." The misery index was around 25%. He was challenged by Ted Kennedy for the nomination. This challenge wounded Carter as Reagan's challenge wounded Ford in 1976. On top of this, Carter looked weak as Iran kidnapped 52 Americans and held them for 444 days. They would not be released until Carter left office.
Carter's challenger was the former governor of California. Ronald Reagan had led an insurrection against the Republican establishment. He stood for small government and lower taxes. His personal charisma and message was formidable and Carter knew he was in trouble. As a result, the Democrats attempted to paint Reagan as a warmonger as they did to Barry Goldwater in 1964. They failed. Reagan's charm and Carter's incompetence overcame any misgivings people had. When a rescue mission to free the hostages in Iran crashed in the desert killing the rescuers, Carter was toast. Reagan won in a landslide.
Four years later, Carter's Vice President, Walter Mondale, won the Democratic nomination and promised to raise taxes. Mondale's running mate was the first woman to run on a major party ticket. Unfortunately, Geraldine Ferraro's husband had IRS issues and was rumored to be tied to organized crime. Reagan was personally popular and the economy was the strongest peace time economy in history. Reagan won in the mother of all landslides. He won 49 states. The key moment came during the debates. Reagan looked old and lost in the first debate, but in the second debate, he was on fire. When the age issue arose, Reagan said he would not exploit Mondale's youth and inexperience for political gain. The election ended that night.
Reagan would serve two full terms and is now considered a near-great or even a great president by Republicans and Democrats (albeit begrudgingly) alike. He led a revolution that reverberates to this day and has led at least one imminent liberal historian to dub the era, "The Age of Reagan." Jimmy Carter is still alive, formed Habitat for Humanity, and has recently lost his mind. Walter Mondale is no longer with us.
Carter's challenger was the former governor of California. Ronald Reagan had led an insurrection against the Republican establishment. He stood for small government and lower taxes. His personal charisma and message was formidable and Carter knew he was in trouble. As a result, the Democrats attempted to paint Reagan as a warmonger as they did to Barry Goldwater in 1964. They failed. Reagan's charm and Carter's incompetence overcame any misgivings people had. When a rescue mission to free the hostages in Iran crashed in the desert killing the rescuers, Carter was toast. Reagan won in a landslide.
Four years later, Carter's Vice President, Walter Mondale, won the Democratic nomination and promised to raise taxes. Mondale's running mate was the first woman to run on a major party ticket. Unfortunately, Geraldine Ferraro's husband had IRS issues and was rumored to be tied to organized crime. Reagan was personally popular and the economy was the strongest peace time economy in history. Reagan won in the mother of all landslides. He won 49 states. The key moment came during the debates. Reagan looked old and lost in the first debate, but in the second debate, he was on fire. When the age issue arose, Reagan said he would not exploit Mondale's youth and inexperience for political gain. The election ended that night.
Reagan would serve two full terms and is now considered a near-great or even a great president by Republicans and Democrats (albeit begrudgingly) alike. He led a revolution that reverberates to this day and has led at least one imminent liberal historian to dub the era, "The Age of Reagan." Jimmy Carter is still alive, formed Habitat for Humanity, and has recently lost his mind. Walter Mondale is no longer with us.
The Man from Georgia: 1976
The Republican Party was in tatters. Watergate decimated the G.O.P. Although personally honest and likeable, President Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon had amplified voter anger. On top of this, the right wing had decided to make its move. Ronald Reagan launched an insurgency that cut into Ford even further. On top of all this, Ford had been appointed to the Vice-Presidency and ascended to the Oval Office upon Nixon's resignation. So, he was not elected to either of the top two offices.
The Democrats were delighted and looked forward to recapturing the White House. They nominated Jimmy Carter. Carter was a one term governor of Georgia and former peanut farmer. Carter ran as an outsider that would clean up Washington and jumped to a 33 point lead in the polls.
Despite his immense lead, Carter made several mistakes that brought him back to Earth. Carter remained vague on the issues and Ford hammered him for his inexperience. Additionally, Carter's mother gave an interview with Playboy that was less than complimentary to the candidate.
Despite Carter's problems, Ford made the biggest gaffe of all during a debate. In it, he claimed the Soviet Union did not dominate Eastern Europe. Carter responded, "Tell that to the Poles." Ford failed to retract the blunder and it reinforced the media's image of him as dumb. It also brought up visions of a shifty Nixon.
On election day, Carter pulled out a narrow victory 50-48%. The electoral college was 297-240. Carter would go on to be the worst president since James Buchanan. He'd even get attacked by a rabbit. Ford would go golfing. Ronald Reagan would lead a revolution that would redefine the terms of debate in American politics to this day.
The Democrats were delighted and looked forward to recapturing the White House. They nominated Jimmy Carter. Carter was a one term governor of Georgia and former peanut farmer. Carter ran as an outsider that would clean up Washington and jumped to a 33 point lead in the polls.
Despite his immense lead, Carter made several mistakes that brought him back to Earth. Carter remained vague on the issues and Ford hammered him for his inexperience. Additionally, Carter's mother gave an interview with Playboy that was less than complimentary to the candidate.
Despite Carter's problems, Ford made the biggest gaffe of all during a debate. In it, he claimed the Soviet Union did not dominate Eastern Europe. Carter responded, "Tell that to the Poles." Ford failed to retract the blunder and it reinforced the media's image of him as dumb. It also brought up visions of a shifty Nixon.
On election day, Carter pulled out a narrow victory 50-48%. The electoral college was 297-240. Carter would go on to be the worst president since James Buchanan. He'd even get attacked by a rabbit. Ford would go golfing. Ronald Reagan would lead a revolution that would redefine the terms of debate in American politics to this day.
Richard Nixon Back Again!
Thursday, July 24, 2008Subject: The Return of the NixonTime: 5:14:00 PM EDTAuthor: cicero390 Edit Entry Delete Entry
Richard Nixon lost a nail-biter to John Kennedy in 1960. Two years later, he lost in his bid to become governor of California. He promised the press they would "not have Nixon to kick around anymore." Nixon went into the wilderness to re-emerge in 1968 as the Republican frontrunner. The American voter wanted order, a resolution to Vietnam, and a competent government.
The Democrats had screwed things up. The nation seemed paralyzed by anti-war protests and the war in Vietnam was getting more unpopular. The Vietcong launched attacks across South Vietnam and were thoroughly defeated. The press declared defeat (much like in Iraq). President Johnson struggled in the primaries and dropped out. The new frontrunner, Robert Kennedy, was murdered two months after Martin Luther King's assassination. The new frontrunner, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, was mortally wounded by Vietnam, riots and violence in America's streets, and a riot at his own convention.
Despite the mortal wound, HHH made a race of it. LBJ suspended bombings of Vietnam right before the election in a cynical attempt to swing voters. Additionally, Governor George Wallace attracted many blue collar voters that despised what the Democratic Party had become (in 2008, they voted for Hillary). Wallace siphoned off votes from Nixon, but Nixon managed to win by a hair. Governor Wallace would run again in 1972. During that campaigne, Wallace was paralyzed by an assassins bullet and never was a factor.
In 1972, Nixon took on the first modern Democratic candidate in George McGovern. Senator McGovern gave the Democrats proportional representation in their primaries (which gave the nomination to Obama this year) and their socially liberal platform that is almost always rejected by voters. One critic claimed the Senator's campaign was based on Amnesty, Abortion, and Acid. McGovern ran a classically liberal campaign and got trounced. He could not even pick a vice president correctly. His original choice was treated for depression with electric shock therapy. Nixon got 61% of the vote, but did not enjoy the victory for long. Despite going toChina and ending Vietnam, Nixon got bogged down by Watergate and was forced to resign in 1974.
Tags: Presidential Election, Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon lost a nail-biter to John Kennedy in 1960. Two years later, he lost in his bid to become governor of California. He promised the press they would "not have Nixon to kick around anymore." Nixon went into the wilderness to re-emerge in 1968 as the Republican frontrunner. The American voter wanted order, a resolution to Vietnam, and a competent government.
The Democrats had screwed things up. The nation seemed paralyzed by anti-war protests and the war in Vietnam was getting more unpopular. The Vietcong launched attacks across South Vietnam and were thoroughly defeated. The press declared defeat (much like in Iraq). President Johnson struggled in the primaries and dropped out. The new frontrunner, Robert Kennedy, was murdered two months after Martin Luther King's assassination. The new frontrunner, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, was mortally wounded by Vietnam, riots and violence in America's streets, and a riot at his own convention.
Despite the mortal wound, HHH made a race of it. LBJ suspended bombings of Vietnam right before the election in a cynical attempt to swing voters. Additionally, Governor George Wallace attracted many blue collar voters that despised what the Democratic Party had become (in 2008, they voted for Hillary). Wallace siphoned off votes from Nixon, but Nixon managed to win by a hair. Governor Wallace would run again in 1972. During that campaigne, Wallace was paralyzed by an assassins bullet and never was a factor.
In 1972, Nixon took on the first modern Democratic candidate in George McGovern. Senator McGovern gave the Democrats proportional representation in their primaries (which gave the nomination to Obama this year) and their socially liberal platform that is almost always rejected by voters. One critic claimed the Senator's campaign was based on Amnesty, Abortion, and Acid. McGovern ran a classically liberal campaign and got trounced. He could not even pick a vice president correctly. His original choice was treated for depression with electric shock therapy. Nixon got 61% of the vote, but did not enjoy the victory for long. Despite going toChina and ending Vietnam, Nixon got bogged down by Watergate and was forced to resign in 1974.
Tags: Presidential Election, Richard Nixon
The Daisy Girl
BOOM! That is the sound of LBJ's demolition of Barry Goldwater in 1964. It's also the sound of the now infamous "Daisy Girl" ad. In it, a little girl is picking peddles off a flower. The next moment, she is vaporized by a mushroom cloud. The implication: Goldwater would lead America into a nuclear conflict with Russia. The Dems even co-opted Goldwater's campaign slogan "In your heart, you know he's right." They changed it to "In your Heart, you know he might." Goldwater's policies would eventually get Ronald Reagan elected president, but in 1964, they seemed extreme. Ironically, LBJ would be the one to lead the nation to war unnecessarily.
The 1960s were the halcion days of liberalism and Goldwater was a reaction to it. During his nomination speech, he said "extremism in defense of liberty is no vice." Richard Nixon said he knew the election was over at that point. The Dems turned that diddy around on Goldwater. They said that now even Goldwater knows he's an extremist.
Most of the negative campaigning was probably academic. Lyndon Johnson was the incumbent president in 1964 and was running as the heir to Kennedy's "Camelot." The nation was still in mourning over Kennedy's death and LBJ played on that sympathy.
As a result of Goldwater gaffes, skillful Democratic portrayals of Goldwater, and public sympathy following JFK's death, Johnson won 61%- 39% in the popular vote and 486-52 in the electoral college. Goldwater won his home state of Arizona and the Deep South. The South was angry at LBJ's passage of the Civil Rights Act. It was the beginning of the end for the Dems in the South.
Goldwater remained in the Senate until 1987. It was Goldwater that got Nixon to resign in 1974. It was Goldwater's libertarianism that helped lead to the rise of the right and Ronald Reagan.
Johnson served as President until 1969. His Great Society made him the last reform president before George W. Bush. Like Bush, an unpopular war combined with policies of debatable results, made LBJ very unpopular. Unlike Bush, he decided not to run for re-election.
The 1960s were the halcion days of liberalism and Goldwater was a reaction to it. During his nomination speech, he said "extremism in defense of liberty is no vice." Richard Nixon said he knew the election was over at that point. The Dems turned that diddy around on Goldwater. They said that now even Goldwater knows he's an extremist.
Most of the negative campaigning was probably academic. Lyndon Johnson was the incumbent president in 1964 and was running as the heir to Kennedy's "Camelot." The nation was still in mourning over Kennedy's death and LBJ played on that sympathy.
As a result of Goldwater gaffes, skillful Democratic portrayals of Goldwater, and public sympathy following JFK's death, Johnson won 61%- 39% in the popular vote and 486-52 in the electoral college. Goldwater won his home state of Arizona and the Deep South. The South was angry at LBJ's passage of the Civil Rights Act. It was the beginning of the end for the Dems in the South.
Goldwater remained in the Senate until 1987. It was Goldwater that got Nixon to resign in 1974. It was Goldwater's libertarianism that helped lead to the rise of the right and Ronald Reagan.
Johnson served as President until 1969. His Great Society made him the last reform president before George W. Bush. Like Bush, an unpopular war combined with policies of debatable results, made LBJ very unpopular. Unlike Bush, he decided not to run for re-election.
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