DBWI: Revolt of the fiscal conservatives

AP 1996

"In a shocker of a press conference, former Presidential candidate Steve Forbes is announcing his intention to run for the presidency as an independent with the intent of founding a new party. He has selected former NFL player and former congressman Jack Kemp as his running mate. GOP presidential Pat Buchanan has not yet responded to this announcement. President Clinton has stated "he would be happy to have the pair in the debates" also Reform Party candidate Ross Perot has stated his intention to step aside and has endorsed the Forbes/Kemp ticket."

Wel, I have to admit that took me by suprise. I was a Forbes supporter in the primaries and am one now as well, Buchanan's protctionism and xenophobia just run the wrong way with me. I hope Forbes/Kemp makes it to Penn. Avenue. So what do you gus think this will do to the race?
 

Anaxagoras

Banned
So what do you gus think this will do to the race?

Nothing. With the money Forbes can bring to bear, they will probably be able to get on the ballot in most states, but they will be lucky to get more than 3-4% of the vote anywhere. Forbes is about the least charismatic person you can find and his political skills were just about nonexistent. Can you seriously imagine the guy giving a speech to coal miners in West Virginia or ranchers in Montana?

Besides which, the issue of fiscal conservatism by itself is not enough to get many people excited enough to go a third party route.

If there is any change, it will simply be that Clinton wins the election by a bigger margin than he did IOTL.
 
Top