alternatehistory.com

Forget the Duke: 1988 election and onwards!

February 20, 1987



Cuomo's In!

As expected, Governor Mario Cuomo of New York has announced his intention to seek the Democratic Party's nod for president. Amid the backlash against the Iran-Contra scandal, Democrats are optimistic on their chances to win the presidency in 1988, and to rid themselves of Walter Mondale's embarassing loss to President Reagan in 1984. Governor Cuomo joins Representative Dick Gephardt as the two major candidates so far in the race. A hypothetical poll last week showed Cuomo second to Senator Gary Hart of Colorado. With Cuomo officially in the race, many consider the Presidential Election of 1988 to have begun.

"In 1960 Americans chose John F. Kennedy because they were ready for change. They were ready for new and better ideas. After six years of scandals and failed policies under the Reagan Administration, Americans are again ready for change and stronger leadership. I love my country. That is why I am seeking the Democratic nomination for president." - Mario Cuomo

March 2, 1987

Gary Hart announces candidacy for president
Reagan approval ratings fall to 46%




The race for the Democratic nomination for president took a key turn when Senator Gary Hart of Colorado announced his bid for the presidency two days ago. Hart, coming in a respectable second in the 1984 primaries, joined a fray of Democrats that includes Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri, Senator Al Gore of Tennessee, and Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware. Hart's most formidable opponent is Governor Mario Cuomo of New York, who announced his candidacy on February 19th. This comes at a time when President Reagan's approval ratings are slipping in the midst of the fallout of the Iran-Contra scandal.

"Four years ago people looked at me like a joke for my attempted challenge against Walter Mondale. They said I was a nobody. They said I was naive. They said I would never break 5%. Then they saw true grassroots democracy in action! Now we fight once more for strong leadership and real integrity! Now is the time for us to take back the White House! I'm Gary Hart and I am running for President of the United States!" - Gary Hart

National Democratic Primary poll



Senator Gary Hart - 37%
Governor Mario Cuomo - 34%
Rep. Dick Gephardt - 10%
Senator Al Gore - 4%
Senator Joseph Biden - 4%
Undecided - 11%

March 4, 1987

Reagan speaks on Iran-Contra tonight
Arkansas Governor rumored to be preparing for presidential run



After months of rumors, revelations, and more rumors, President Reagan will finally attempt to silence the critics on the ongoing Iran-Contra affair. The President will go to the airwaves tonight to address the concerns and questions on the ongoing scandal.....














.....Meanwhile, Governor William Clinton of Arkansas is rumored to be preparing a possible run for the Democratic nomination for president. Clinton, relatively unknown nationally, is looking to take the oppurtunity for the lack of southern candidates in the race.

Top