Who would you have voted for the 1988 Dem. Nomination?

One of the best politicians of the last 25 years.

He went on and on about how he was the most conservative Dem out there, blah, blah, blah. I think a lot of people would be surprised at some of his stands back then.

to our state convention, and I did vote for him in the election. However, that said, he was a lousy candidate. He came to Southwest MIssouri reluctantly, and had all kinds of "have tos" with his appearance at the Springfield airport. Only certain press, yadayadayada. I was a member of the collegiate press at the time and EVEN THOUGH we contacted his office early, was never granted access.

He was a rude son of a bitch, too.

I knew then he'd never win. If you can't treat the little people with respect, you should not be a Democratic candidate for dog catcher.

Now. As for the other guys, they were all too young and untried at the time. Gephardt was a nice guy, but too wet behind the ears. Al Gore, ditto. Gary Hart had Monkey Business. Jesse Jackson -- great guiy, too radical, never make it to the big dance.

I was NOT a Mondale supporter in 1984. I was a member of the Rainbow Coalition and proud to be at the State Convention for Jesse.

But I was 16- too young to vote. I remember when Shrub1 won. It was a sad day.

On edit: How could I forget Paul Simon? Anyone remember the Al Franken routine on SNL where he was Simon and he kept talking about his infamous "bow-tie"?

I go back a lot farther than that one.

:D

But it was already apparent that Dukakis would be the nominee. I have always wondered if the party machine installed him?

Anyone no matter how remotely allied with the Illinois Stevenson tradition gets my early prejudice. Simon was Stevensonesque. A real
gentleman. That year we were delegates to the Florida state Democratic convention in Miami Beach. Gore talked about Nicaragua and we thought he sounded like Reagan. Simon got our vote. After he was out, we were far less enthusiatic; but did some leg work for Dukakis.
Like Dean, never felt him to be totally real.

for supporting Reagan right down the line on the military buildup and repression in Central America.

That's why, while I wish that Gore were president instead of Bush, I can't take part in the Gore adoration that some people feel.

I think I voted for Gore, but there's an off chance I may have voted for Paul Simon.

I really don't remember. Odd, considering it was the first presidential primary I voted in.

:shrug:

--Peter

I can't remember either, although it wasn't my first general election (it was my second). It was already clear by the time they got here that Dukakis was going to win. My folks liked Simon, though I doubt he'd have had much better chance than Dukakis against the 'King Ronnie reputation.'

On edit -- wasn't clear.

Sometimes this cycle feels like '84 or '88, with Clark in the Hart role: national security cred, liberal but able to third-way with conservatives on some things, not a heavy party critter.

And perhaps (?) an early gelling/fixing on a hard-to-stop nomination?

my 1st pres nom. and he won WI too.

Still convinced he would have had a better shot than Dukakis.

:kick: