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3. A New Threat Emerges
The following candidates made their presence in the 1988 primaries known in the swing of a single month and a half in the spring of 1987:
February 23rd, 1987
Representative Richard Gephardt (D-MO) announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination in Missouri on Friday.
In his kickoff speech, Gephardt stated that “I am the first Democrat to declare, and one year, eight months and eight days from now, when America elects the next president, I intend, with your help, to finish first”.
By entering the race at this early junction, it is clear that Gephardt plans to try to win early and often in the first Democratic primaries of the next election cycle - including Iowa, which borders Gephardt’s native Missouri.
Representative Gephardt will have to find some early victories in a field that promises to be extremely crowded going into the 1988 general election.
March 10th, 1987
Appearing in a science learning center converted from an old mill, former Governor Bruce Babbitt (D-AZ) announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Speaking in Manchester, New Hampshire, Babbitt announced that “I want to see an America in charge again. And that is going to take nothing less than a transformation of our economy.”
Due to a number of provocative ideas, such as raising taxes on social security for wealthy beneficiaries, Babbitt’s candidacy is seen as a long shot by many.
However, his staff hopes that the many appearances the former Governor made throughout his recent speaking tour of the country allowed him to make enough connections throughout key states to propel him to victory in 1988.
March 24th, 1987
Former Secretary of State Alexander “Al” Haig formally announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for President in 1988 with tough foreign policy policy promises as well as promises to the American people of his “heart as big as all outdoors”.
Though Haig’s eighteen months as Secretary of State were stormy at best, it would be a lie to write that they were boring - Haig is best remembered best for his comments in the wake of the attempt on President Reagan’s life, in which he stated that “As of now, I am in control here in the White House pending the return of the Vice President”.
Though Haig’s candidacy is a long shot even to him, the retired four-star Army general believes the voters will see that he has the temperament and experience to dutifully serve as President of the United States.
Only time will tell if this assumption is correct on the part of Alexander Haig.
April 6th, 1987
Former star quarterback and current United States Representative Jack Kemp (R-NY) announced that he will be entering the race for the Republican nomination - the third candidate to join the race after Delaware's Pierre “Pete” du Pont and former Secretary of State Alexander Haig.
Kemp, who is seen by many as a rising star within the party for his work shaping President Reagan’s domestic policy, promised in his opening speech a “vision for the future”.
Kemp has made inroads in New Hampshire, gathering the endorsements of many key legislators and operatives throughout the Granite State. Internal polling with assumed candidates, however, gives Kemp only 8% of the vote in the state.
Even on such a jubilant occasion the 51-year old lawmaker appears to already be a long shot amongst political insiders. A pro-Bush surrogate who wished to remain anonymous said that it had been widely assumed since 1984 that Kemp would be Bush’s strongest primary challenge, but his apparently “flat” support throughout key states has pushed him to the “fringe”.
Regardless of the words of pundits, Kemp’s strong relations to the Reagan administration, as well as his rising celebrity, will give him a chance to thrive in the primaries.
April 11th, 1987
A third Democratic candidate has entered the race for the nomination, this time being Senator Albert “Al” Gore of Tennessee.
Senator Gore, age 39, declared that his foreign policy “varied significantly” with his Democratic rivals already in the race and those expected to join it within the next few months leading up to the primary cycle that is set to begin early next spring.
The first fireworks of the cycle occurred later in the evening yesterday when Representative Richard Gephardt (D-MO), appearing for a campaign stop in Iowa, stated “I reject Gore’s efforts to pin labels”, which was met with a solid applause from the crowd.
Though Senator Gore’s chances at the White House appear slim, this does not mean he will not have an opportunity on the national stage in 1988. Young and charming, the Southern senator could perfectly complement the nominee on a balanced ticket.
Expect Senator Gore to run a moderate campaign, attempting to appear as a candidate favorable to Southern Democrats as well as voters in the rust-belt. This strategy could pay dividends in a field that is shaping up to be more liberal than ever before.
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“The Lord has been kind to him,” Robert Grant said to himself as he pulled around the circular driveway in front of the sprawling Virginia manor. The huge home seemed to menace over him, casting a shadow over the front of the lawn.
Grant himself was the chairman of the Christian Voice, the oldest conservative Christian lobby in America, and yet he lived in squalor compared to the behemoth of a home that stood before him.
As Grant stepped out of his car a familiar figure rose from a wicker chair on the patio and raised a hand in greeting.
“Thanks for comin’ down, Bob,” Jerry Falwell said as he extended his arm for a handshake, “please, take a seat.”
“Well, I must ask,” Grant said as he settled into a chair opposite Falwell, “why did you send for me?” Falwell smiled, a cold, malicious smile. The kind of smile that holds the power to move mountains, the intent to ruin kings.
“Blessed by our lord, it’s time for a moral shift in that accursed capital of our great nation.”
The surprise was plain on Grant’s face.
“Sir, I thought the Moral Majority was quite satisfied with President Reagan. Why a change of heart?”
“No, it’s not Reagan,” Falwell spat, “the Lord is quite satisfied with his work. No, it’s that blasted Vice President of his.”
Grant was still confused. President Reagan had assured the Moral Majority that they would have a voice in the party for years upon years. He had always been receptive to their cause in the past and Grant was optimistic to believe that they could have an even bigger say in the next presidency.
“Sir, what exactly is the problem here?” Falwell made a face that seemed to be disgust at Grant’s continued confusion. It was a face that screamed superiority, a look that suggested that he was the most intelligent man in any room he stood in and wasn't afraid to say it.
“This Iran-Contra situation,” Falwell annunciated each syllable as if it took all of his strength, “it is a sign from God above. This scandal will hang above our party like a cloud of locusts. You know that Bush is already setting up a run at the White House despite the harm it could cause to our party.”
Not one to question his leader, Grant played along, asking,
“Well, sir, shall we throw our full weight behind Robertson in the primaries?” This seemingly innocuous question seemed to enrage Falwell.
“Throw our weight behind Robertson? Are you mad? That man may parade himself as the face of Christian America, but there is no denying that he is a hack and a fraud. The man wants to legalize marijuana; if it came to it, I’d rather have Bush.”
“I guess I don’t understand,” Grant started, “what is our plan going forward? Dole?”
Falwell chuckled and shook his head. He held a long pause, looking around his sprawling front yard. The thing that terrified Grant, however, was the look on the face of the Reverend as he scanned his expansive property. He didn't look pleased. He looked like he wanted more. Finally, after a full minute of dead air, Falwell turned to Grant.
“Bob, you’re thinking inside the box. Look here.”
Upon saying this, Falwell reached into his back pocket and pulled out a newspaper clipping and handed it to Grant.
“That’s our man,” he said, grinning ear to ear.
The man in the photograph looked young, handsome, promising.
"He's going to save this party," Falwell ranted, "from the moderation that's plagued it for too long."
"Well, who is he?" Grant asked. Falwell smiled.
"Senator Dan Quayle," he said, "of Indiana."
February 23rd, 1987
Representative Richard Gephardt (D-MO) announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination in Missouri on Friday.
In his kickoff speech, Gephardt stated that “I am the first Democrat to declare, and one year, eight months and eight days from now, when America elects the next president, I intend, with your help, to finish first”.
By entering the race at this early junction, it is clear that Gephardt plans to try to win early and often in the first Democratic primaries of the next election cycle - including Iowa, which borders Gephardt’s native Missouri.
Representative Gephardt will have to find some early victories in a field that promises to be extremely crowded going into the 1988 general election.
March 10th, 1987
Appearing in a science learning center converted from an old mill, former Governor Bruce Babbitt (D-AZ) announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Speaking in Manchester, New Hampshire, Babbitt announced that “I want to see an America in charge again. And that is going to take nothing less than a transformation of our economy.”
Due to a number of provocative ideas, such as raising taxes on social security for wealthy beneficiaries, Babbitt’s candidacy is seen as a long shot by many.
However, his staff hopes that the many appearances the former Governor made throughout his recent speaking tour of the country allowed him to make enough connections throughout key states to propel him to victory in 1988.
March 24th, 1987
Former Secretary of State Alexander “Al” Haig formally announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for President in 1988 with tough foreign policy policy promises as well as promises to the American people of his “heart as big as all outdoors”.
Though Haig’s eighteen months as Secretary of State were stormy at best, it would be a lie to write that they were boring - Haig is best remembered best for his comments in the wake of the attempt on President Reagan’s life, in which he stated that “As of now, I am in control here in the White House pending the return of the Vice President”.
Though Haig’s candidacy is a long shot even to him, the retired four-star Army general believes the voters will see that he has the temperament and experience to dutifully serve as President of the United States.
Only time will tell if this assumption is correct on the part of Alexander Haig.
April 6th, 1987
Former star quarterback and current United States Representative Jack Kemp (R-NY) announced that he will be entering the race for the Republican nomination - the third candidate to join the race after Delaware's Pierre “Pete” du Pont and former Secretary of State Alexander Haig.
Kemp, who is seen by many as a rising star within the party for his work shaping President Reagan’s domestic policy, promised in his opening speech a “vision for the future”.
Kemp has made inroads in New Hampshire, gathering the endorsements of many key legislators and operatives throughout the Granite State. Internal polling with assumed candidates, however, gives Kemp only 8% of the vote in the state.
Even on such a jubilant occasion the 51-year old lawmaker appears to already be a long shot amongst political insiders. A pro-Bush surrogate who wished to remain anonymous said that it had been widely assumed since 1984 that Kemp would be Bush’s strongest primary challenge, but his apparently “flat” support throughout key states has pushed him to the “fringe”.
Regardless of the words of pundits, Kemp’s strong relations to the Reagan administration, as well as his rising celebrity, will give him a chance to thrive in the primaries.
April 11th, 1987
A third Democratic candidate has entered the race for the nomination, this time being Senator Albert “Al” Gore of Tennessee.
Senator Gore, age 39, declared that his foreign policy “varied significantly” with his Democratic rivals already in the race and those expected to join it within the next few months leading up to the primary cycle that is set to begin early next spring.
The first fireworks of the cycle occurred later in the evening yesterday when Representative Richard Gephardt (D-MO), appearing for a campaign stop in Iowa, stated “I reject Gore’s efforts to pin labels”, which was met with a solid applause from the crowd.
Though Senator Gore’s chances at the White House appear slim, this does not mean he will not have an opportunity on the national stage in 1988. Young and charming, the Southern senator could perfectly complement the nominee on a balanced ticket.
Expect Senator Gore to run a moderate campaign, attempting to appear as a candidate favorable to Southern Democrats as well as voters in the rust-belt. This strategy could pay dividends in a field that is shaping up to be more liberal than ever before.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“The Lord has been kind to him,” Robert Grant said to himself as he pulled around the circular driveway in front of the sprawling Virginia manor. The huge home seemed to menace over him, casting a shadow over the front of the lawn.
Grant himself was the chairman of the Christian Voice, the oldest conservative Christian lobby in America, and yet he lived in squalor compared to the behemoth of a home that stood before him.
As Grant stepped out of his car a familiar figure rose from a wicker chair on the patio and raised a hand in greeting.
“Thanks for comin’ down, Bob,” Jerry Falwell said as he extended his arm for a handshake, “please, take a seat.”
“Well, I must ask,” Grant said as he settled into a chair opposite Falwell, “why did you send for me?” Falwell smiled, a cold, malicious smile. The kind of smile that holds the power to move mountains, the intent to ruin kings.
“Blessed by our lord, it’s time for a moral shift in that accursed capital of our great nation.”
The surprise was plain on Grant’s face.
“Sir, I thought the Moral Majority was quite satisfied with President Reagan. Why a change of heart?”
“No, it’s not Reagan,” Falwell spat, “the Lord is quite satisfied with his work. No, it’s that blasted Vice President of his.”
Grant was still confused. President Reagan had assured the Moral Majority that they would have a voice in the party for years upon years. He had always been receptive to their cause in the past and Grant was optimistic to believe that they could have an even bigger say in the next presidency.
“Sir, what exactly is the problem here?” Falwell made a face that seemed to be disgust at Grant’s continued confusion. It was a face that screamed superiority, a look that suggested that he was the most intelligent man in any room he stood in and wasn't afraid to say it.
“This Iran-Contra situation,” Falwell annunciated each syllable as if it took all of his strength, “it is a sign from God above. This scandal will hang above our party like a cloud of locusts. You know that Bush is already setting up a run at the White House despite the harm it could cause to our party.”
Not one to question his leader, Grant played along, asking,
“Well, sir, shall we throw our full weight behind Robertson in the primaries?” This seemingly innocuous question seemed to enrage Falwell.
“Throw our weight behind Robertson? Are you mad? That man may parade himself as the face of Christian America, but there is no denying that he is a hack and a fraud. The man wants to legalize marijuana; if it came to it, I’d rather have Bush.”
“I guess I don’t understand,” Grant started, “what is our plan going forward? Dole?”
Falwell chuckled and shook his head. He held a long pause, looking around his sprawling front yard. The thing that terrified Grant, however, was the look on the face of the Reverend as he scanned his expansive property. He didn't look pleased. He looked like he wanted more. Finally, after a full minute of dead air, Falwell turned to Grant.
“Bob, you’re thinking inside the box. Look here.”
Upon saying this, Falwell reached into his back pocket and pulled out a newspaper clipping and handed it to Grant.
“That’s our man,” he said, grinning ear to ear.
The man in the photograph looked young, handsome, promising.
"He's going to save this party," Falwell ranted, "from the moderation that's plagued it for too long."
"Well, who is he?" Grant asked. Falwell smiled.
"Senator Dan Quayle," he said, "of Indiana."
- Meyer London
- Word Count: 1.5k