"It should have been you"-The presidency of Lloyd Bentsen

  • Thread starter Deleted member 99044
  • Start date

Who should be Bentsen's running mate?

  • Mario Cuomo

    Votes: 12 38.7%
  • Daniel Patrick Moynihan

    Votes: 5 16.1%
  • John Kerry

    Votes: 7 22.6%
  • Paul Simon

    Votes: 3 9.7%
  • Dick Gephardt

    Votes: 4 12.9%

  • Total voters
    31
September 16,1988 Continued
  • Deleted member 99044

    James Baker and Lee Atwater finished Vice President Bush's statement about the death of Michael Dukakis. That statement said "I'm deeply saddened by the passing of Governor Dukakis and I'll be praying for his family and I hope America does the same". Vice President Bush returned to his campaign headquarters after giving his statement. He felt ashamed that his campaign had been so dirty. "We destroyed that man" he thought to himself. He walked into Lee Atwater's office and told him "No more mud from now on we are running a clean campaign". Lee Atwater said "Of course Mr.Vice President". Atwater disagreed but deep down he conceded that attack ads on Lloyd Bentsen would be in bad taste. He decided that he would need to highlight Bush's stances on abortion and the ERA in order to paint Bentsen as liberal with out attacking him.
     
    A New Start
  • Deleted member 99044

    Lloyd Bentsen had just given and emotional statement regarding the death of Governor Dukakis saying "Micheal was a great friend and im sad to see him gone but I'll make sure to run the campaign in a way that would make him proud". The Dukakis team was turned upside down but the speed of a President Election campaign didn't allow much time for grieving and they went right to work finding a new running mate. Bentsen had brought his senate staff in the campaign including his senate chief of staff Joe O'Neil. The campaign came to the conclusion that Bentsen needed a liberal northerner in order to keep the base happy. John Kerry a junior senator was considered because his presence would make Iran-Contra a story again an issue that had haunted George Bush since the primary. However,his inexperience kept him away from the VP slot. Mario Cuomo was eventually chosen due to his charisma and liberalism.
     
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