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10: The Campaign Trail
The Campaign Trail
Coming off a successful convention with a sizeable bump, the Trump/Schwarzkopf campaign was energized and thrilled. They led their nearest opponents by double digits and were the favourites to win the Presidency, indeed 2000 was far closer then even 1992 or 1912. It was almost a given that Trump would win several states, and very likely that he could deadlock the electoral college or even ride the wave of populist discontent to the White House.
The pick of Schwarzkopf was a strong pick, and took the other campaigns by surprise. Republican George Bush collapsed from his formerly strong position in the polls to only 27%. Trump had successfully peeled off many Republicans with his pick of the brave Gulf War General as well as other moderate Democrats. In private, Bush was furious and regretted having not picked Colin Powell, another VP finalist.
Nevertheless, by Labor Day the three candidates were neck and neck once again. Gore, Bush and Trump all had equal shots of winning, and even more likely, the election would have to be decided in the House of Representatives. It was thrilling stuff, and even as Gore and Bush attacked Trump on his policy positions, inexperience and temperament, Trump mesmerized the nation with his colourful and electrifying rallies. Trump harked back to a time of a different breed of politician and it showed.
Voters had earlier thought that they had a choice between two "boring" candidates, Gore and Bush. However, Trump had injected life into this otherwise typical election, and record turnouts were anticipated.
The 2000 campaign also brought in a new style of campaigning, that would go on to define most elections of the 21st century. The old concept of "swing states" was gone, especially in such a chaotic three way race. Trump campaign manager, Roger Stone decided to pioneer a different style of campaigning, a 50 state strategy. Considering that Donald Trump, the nominee of a relatively new party, had no natural base, there were no true swing states to swing to his camp. Instead, Trump campaigning in all 50 states, for himself and for Reform congressional and Senate candidates. From the Dakotas, to Louisiana to New York and Boston, Trump campaigned and spoke. Utilising his broad appeal was a strong strategy, and would turn out a lot more people who usually stayed home for fear of a "wasted vote".
The race was indeed chaotic, and the candidates exchanged leads multiple times through September. Pundits were despondent, they really had no clue how the election would unfold. Neither did the campaigns.
Gore's camp feared that Trump would steal Democrats, especially Southern Democrats won by Clinton and deadlock the electoral college, throwing the election to a Republican congress. Gore was very concerned about Trump playing spoiler and deadlocking the election.
Bush on the other hand was concerned about Trump being a new Perot. Bush always remembered what happened to his father and he was determined not to allow history to repeat itself. However, many Republicans were on the fence and the prospect of another Bush was not very appealing to those yearning for a fresh face.
The one thing both candidates feared however was Trump coming through the middle and winning it all. Whether he comed through the middle in the electoral college due to vote splitting, or through the house as a compromise candidate, Trump had a great chance of winning. That was what both sides feared, a Trump victory would end the two-party duopoly forever and place a true maverick in the White House. Neither could predict what Trump would do as President, and if Trump was a popular President, he could stand to make the old parties irrelevant. The GOP would rather see the Democrats win, and vice versa than a man backed by neither party.
The first debates were fast approaching, and these would offer the first chance for each candidate to try and shape the race. Everything - Congress, the Presidency and country - was at stake.
Coming off a successful convention with a sizeable bump, the Trump/Schwarzkopf campaign was energized and thrilled. They led their nearest opponents by double digits and were the favourites to win the Presidency, indeed 2000 was far closer then even 1992 or 1912. It was almost a given that Trump would win several states, and very likely that he could deadlock the electoral college or even ride the wave of populist discontent to the White House.
The pick of Schwarzkopf was a strong pick, and took the other campaigns by surprise. Republican George Bush collapsed from his formerly strong position in the polls to only 27%. Trump had successfully peeled off many Republicans with his pick of the brave Gulf War General as well as other moderate Democrats. In private, Bush was furious and regretted having not picked Colin Powell, another VP finalist.
Nevertheless, by Labor Day the three candidates were neck and neck once again. Gore, Bush and Trump all had equal shots of winning, and even more likely, the election would have to be decided in the House of Representatives. It was thrilling stuff, and even as Gore and Bush attacked Trump on his policy positions, inexperience and temperament, Trump mesmerized the nation with his colourful and electrifying rallies. Trump harked back to a time of a different breed of politician and it showed.
Voters had earlier thought that they had a choice between two "boring" candidates, Gore and Bush. However, Trump had injected life into this otherwise typical election, and record turnouts were anticipated.
The 2000 campaign also brought in a new style of campaigning, that would go on to define most elections of the 21st century. The old concept of "swing states" was gone, especially in such a chaotic three way race. Trump campaign manager, Roger Stone decided to pioneer a different style of campaigning, a 50 state strategy. Considering that Donald Trump, the nominee of a relatively new party, had no natural base, there were no true swing states to swing to his camp. Instead, Trump campaigning in all 50 states, for himself and for Reform congressional and Senate candidates. From the Dakotas, to Louisiana to New York and Boston, Trump campaigned and spoke. Utilising his broad appeal was a strong strategy, and would turn out a lot more people who usually stayed home for fear of a "wasted vote".
The race was indeed chaotic, and the candidates exchanged leads multiple times through September. Pundits were despondent, they really had no clue how the election would unfold. Neither did the campaigns.
Gore's camp feared that Trump would steal Democrats, especially Southern Democrats won by Clinton and deadlock the electoral college, throwing the election to a Republican congress. Gore was very concerned about Trump playing spoiler and deadlocking the election.
Bush on the other hand was concerned about Trump being a new Perot. Bush always remembered what happened to his father and he was determined not to allow history to repeat itself. However, many Republicans were on the fence and the prospect of another Bush was not very appealing to those yearning for a fresh face.
The one thing both candidates feared however was Trump coming through the middle and winning it all. Whether he comed through the middle in the electoral college due to vote splitting, or through the house as a compromise candidate, Trump had a great chance of winning. That was what both sides feared, a Trump victory would end the two-party duopoly forever and place a true maverick in the White House. Neither could predict what Trump would do as President, and if Trump was a popular President, he could stand to make the old parties irrelevant. The GOP would rather see the Democrats win, and vice versa than a man backed by neither party.
The first debates were fast approaching, and these would offer the first chance for each candidate to try and shape the race. Everything - Congress, the Presidency and country - was at stake.
- Abraham Washington
- Word Count: 670