alternatehistory.com
Janurary 1987
I could say it started as a joke, but that would be a lie. We really thought Dukakis was going to be our guy, so when he said no, we were desperate. We knew Mondale wasn't going to go well, for sure.
Now, of course, we were thinking about Bush. And you know, Bush didn't exactly look like the type who would appeal to young voters. Establishment Republican, connected to the last eight years of Reagan, looked older. That was a weakness, and we asked how we could sieze that weakness.
I don't remember who, but someone floated the idea of Carl Sagan. I said, "No, we don't even know if he's a Democrat."
They replied quickly. "Of course he's a Democrat, he's a scientist."
We all had a quick laugh at that, and then I leaned in. "He doesn't have it," I said.
"Why not? He's good on TV, and people who watched his show as kids are getting old enough to vote now. He's got the name recognition."
"He's probably not even interested. He's a scientist, as you said. Not a politician."
"Can't hurt to ask."
Well, that was correct, at least. We could at least scout it out. Asking wouldn't hurt.
--Tom Foley, My Role in the Cosmos
Dukakis on Presidency: "Not This Time"
--New York Times, Janurary 14th, 1987
Mondale 88--The Definition of Insanity?
--Boston Globe, Janurary 16th, 1987
Who do you support for the 1988 Democratic ticket?
Walter Mondale - 34.8%
Jesse Jackson - 32.7%
Al Gore - 29.9%
Other - 2.8%
"I'm gonna be honest with you, Tom. It's all bad."
--Anonymous aide to House Majority Leader Tom Foley, Janurary 17th, 1987
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--New York Times, Janurary 14th, 1987
Mondale 88--The Definition of Insanity?
--Boston Globe, Janurary 16th, 1987
Who do you support for the 1988 Democratic ticket?
Walter Mondale - 34.8%
Jesse Jackson - 32.7%
Al Gore - 29.9%
Other - 2.8%
"I'm gonna be honest with you, Tom. It's all bad."
--Anonymous aide to House Majority Leader Tom Foley, Janurary 17th, 1987
-------------
I could say it started as a joke, but that would be a lie. We really thought Dukakis was going to be our guy, so when he said no, we were desperate. We knew Mondale wasn't going to go well, for sure.
Now, of course, we were thinking about Bush. And you know, Bush didn't exactly look like the type who would appeal to young voters. Establishment Republican, connected to the last eight years of Reagan, looked older. That was a weakness, and we asked how we could sieze that weakness.
I don't remember who, but someone floated the idea of Carl Sagan. I said, "No, we don't even know if he's a Democrat."
They replied quickly. "Of course he's a Democrat, he's a scientist."
We all had a quick laugh at that, and then I leaned in. "He doesn't have it," I said.
"Why not? He's good on TV, and people who watched his show as kids are getting old enough to vote now. He's got the name recognition."
"He's probably not even interested. He's a scientist, as you said. Not a politician."
"Can't hurt to ask."
Well, that was correct, at least. We could at least scout it out. Asking wouldn't hurt.
--Tom Foley, My Role in the Cosmos
- TooManyIdeas
- Word Count: 280