You Gotta Have Hart: A Different 1988 and Beyond
- Thread starter Meyer London
- Start date
I'd pay to see Bret Hart drop Quayle with the people's elbow.
You've seen OTL's vice-presidential debate from '88, yes? That essentially happens, it's just a wiry aging Texan laying it down instead of The Hitman....
ETA: I saw the famous bon mot live as a teenager (last presidential cycle before I could vote), and it's the only time I've reacted to repartee in a debate with the same jump-up-and-down-in-the-living-room monkey-brain enthusiasm as a blow by The Hitman, or say Hacksaw Reynolds decapitating some poor running back on behalf of the Niners. Quayle just looked like he was back in middle school and had just been pantsed immediately after using one of those ice cold locker room showers....
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Jackson and Iacocca
Gentleman Biaggi
Banned
May 6th, 1987
“In 1988 there are already four Democrats running for President. Just as I said in 1984, I will say it again - You got a vote, you got a chance, you got hope.
Your choice is between members of the Democratic establishment, the ones who lost in 1984, who lost in 1980, who continue to lose.
The Gary Hart of 1988 is no different than the Walter Mondale of 1984. They will never listen to you, to any of you.
There’s a positive and negative aspect to everything. Four years ago they marginalized us, that was the negative. The positive was that they underestimated us.
For centuries we have been underestimated. Well, I can say with confidence that after this election no one, and I say no one, in Washington or anywhere else will ever underestimate or marginalize us again.
Many of you out there, broken by the system that tries too hard to snap us like twigs, must feel hopeless. For all the hopeless, there’s only one choice.
You can choose to vote for hope.
Hope. Jackson fights for homeowners.
Hope. Jackson fights to raise the minimum wage.
Hope. Jackson fights for equal pay for working women.
Hope. Jackson fights for daycare for kids.
Hope. Jackson fights to save our farms.
Hope. He fights to stop the flow of drugs.
Hope. He fights for the people.
Hope. And we the people will win.
Thank you all very much.”
-The Reverend Jesse Jackson, announcing his candidacy in the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, Birmingham, Alabama
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 8th, 1987
Gallup Poll of Current Democratic Candidates
Gary Hart - 40%
Jesse Jackson - 27%
Richard Gephardt - 15%
Al Gore - 10%
Bruce Babbitt - 8%
Gallup Poll of Current Republican Candidates
George H.W. Bush - 65%
Dan Quayle - 19%
Jack Kemp - 10%
Al Haig - 6%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 9th, 1987
“Tip, what do you think about me running for President?”
Neither Lee Iacocca, the chair of Chrysler who had been hailed as a hero in both the industrial and national spotlights in the last year for his work saving his company, or Tip O’Neill, the five-time Speaker of the House, had time for small talk. Iacocca had just sat down as he began.
“Of what?” O’Neill said back, displaying his natural charm and humor that had pushed him to the forefront of Democratic politics for the last two decades. He knew they had had this exact same conversation each year since 1982, and yet here they were again.
“Are you crazy?” O’Neill continued, getting more serious, “You gotta be nuts. You’re a businessman. You don’t have the temperament for it.”
“Better a businessman than a politician,” Iacocca said, before laughing, “no offense to you of course.”
“You asked my opinion,” Tip started, “I just think that this crop of candidates will provide a winner for us. Lord knows how long we’ve suffered under Herbert Hoover with a smile.”
Iacocca shook his head passionately, like he was in the boardroom at Chrysler.
“This crop of candidates is the exact reason why I’ve been considering jumping in. Really, Tip? Don’t get me wrong, I feel bad for Hart, but he’s exactly what’s wrong with the party. Same as Jackson. Too bleeding heart, too embroidered into D.C. Maybe what this country needs is a businessman.”
“Well, I know I can’t dissuade you if your heart is in it already,” Tip said, “but I promise you that nobody can keep their hands clean once they jump in the swamp. Nobody.”
“In 1988 there are already four Democrats running for President. Just as I said in 1984, I will say it again - You got a vote, you got a chance, you got hope.
Your choice is between members of the Democratic establishment, the ones who lost in 1984, who lost in 1980, who continue to lose.
The Gary Hart of 1988 is no different than the Walter Mondale of 1984. They will never listen to you, to any of you.
There’s a positive and negative aspect to everything. Four years ago they marginalized us, that was the negative. The positive was that they underestimated us.
For centuries we have been underestimated. Well, I can say with confidence that after this election no one, and I say no one, in Washington or anywhere else will ever underestimate or marginalize us again.
Many of you out there, broken by the system that tries too hard to snap us like twigs, must feel hopeless. For all the hopeless, there’s only one choice.
You can choose to vote for hope.
Hope. Jackson fights for homeowners.
Hope. Jackson fights to raise the minimum wage.
Hope. Jackson fights for equal pay for working women.
Hope. Jackson fights for daycare for kids.
Hope. Jackson fights to save our farms.
Hope. He fights to stop the flow of drugs.
Hope. He fights for the people.
Hope. And we the people will win.
Thank you all very much.”
-The Reverend Jesse Jackson, announcing his candidacy in the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, Birmingham, Alabama
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 8th, 1987
Gallup Poll of Current Democratic Candidates
Gary Hart - 40%
Jesse Jackson - 27%
Richard Gephardt - 15%
Al Gore - 10%
Bruce Babbitt - 8%
Gallup Poll of Current Republican Candidates
George H.W. Bush - 65%
Dan Quayle - 19%
Jack Kemp - 10%
Al Haig - 6%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 9th, 1987
“Tip, what do you think about me running for President?”
Neither Lee Iacocca, the chair of Chrysler who had been hailed as a hero in both the industrial and national spotlights in the last year for his work saving his company, or Tip O’Neill, the five-time Speaker of the House, had time for small talk. Iacocca had just sat down as he began.
“Of what?” O’Neill said back, displaying his natural charm and humor that had pushed him to the forefront of Democratic politics for the last two decades. He knew they had had this exact same conversation each year since 1982, and yet here they were again.
“Are you crazy?” O’Neill continued, getting more serious, “You gotta be nuts. You’re a businessman. You don’t have the temperament for it.”
“Better a businessman than a politician,” Iacocca said, before laughing, “no offense to you of course.”
“You asked my opinion,” Tip started, “I just think that this crop of candidates will provide a winner for us. Lord knows how long we’ve suffered under Herbert Hoover with a smile.”
Iacocca shook his head passionately, like he was in the boardroom at Chrysler.
“This crop of candidates is the exact reason why I’ve been considering jumping in. Really, Tip? Don’t get me wrong, I feel bad for Hart, but he’s exactly what’s wrong with the party. Same as Jackson. Too bleeding heart, too embroidered into D.C. Maybe what this country needs is a businessman.”
“Well, I know I can’t dissuade you if your heart is in it already,” Tip said, “but I promise you that nobody can keep their hands clean once they jump in the swamp. Nobody.”
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Yeah, he was very close to jumping in in both '84 and '88. In fact, it was Tip who convinced him to stay out of it.
We shall see if his advice sticks ITTL.
Since Jesse Jackson is in the race, does this gaffe still occur:
.
The mayor later said he meant straight shooter, but slipped (that was a mighty big slip); I'd love to have seen Jesse's reaction to being called that (talk about your awkward moments)...
With regards to Jerry Falwell, I can't stand him but, if he wanted to punch Larry Flynt out after Flynt did that ad where he implied he had sex with his mother (that was low even for Flynt, but it is Larry Flynt), I'd have supported him...
The mayor later said he meant straight shooter, but slipped (that was a mighty big slip); I'd love to have seen Jesse's reaction to being called that (talk about your awkward moments)...
With regards to Jerry Falwell, I can't stand him but, if he wanted to punch Larry Flynt out after Flynt did that ad where he implied he had sex with his mother (that was low even for Flynt, but it is Larry Flynt), I'd have supported him...
Gentleman Biaggi
Banned
I can't stand him, but I completely agree with you there. Although Flynt did say that the two did become friends afterwards. I would pay to watch them fight though.
Jackson will of course have a few gaffes of his own (the return of his NYC gaffe, who could forget), but none as truly mind blowing as the one in that video.
As for Falwell, I'd imagine he's going to take on the role of a really religious Geppetto. And as for Danforth Pinocchio....
The Quayle and His Cage
An excerpt from an article appearing in the Des Moines Register, May 18th, 1987
Quayle Gains Ground By Pounding the Pavement Early
When Senator Dan Quayle (R-IN) announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in 1988, many Iowa conservatives wrote the young politician off as a joke or a niche candidate.
Over the last three weeks, however, Senator Quayle has changed a lot of minds while shaking even more hands.
One early instance of Quayle’s energy and campaign ethic was an appearance at Manson High School in Manson. At the appearance Quayle stressed the importance of moral values and ethics among the modest crowd.
“Our country’s core values are under attack from not only liberals,” Quayle stated emphatically, “but also communist and socialist infiltrators. In the year 1987 the most silenced demographic is in fact the farmer, the law abiding member of society who only wants to get by in life. With me as your President, friends, the voices of the conservative silent majority ring throughout the slime and sludge of Washington D.C.”
Senator Quayle’s strong message seemed to strike a chord with the lower middle class, mostly white crowd.
“After hearing Quaye tonight, I think he is the true successor to President Reagan, not Bush,” said Evan Perry, 48, a farmer and father of three. “With the liberal ideas everywhere today, we need a man like Quayle to help keep real values in America.”
Only time will tell if Senator Quayle will resonate with a national audience, but in the climate that is the Iowa Republican Caucus, he will almost certainly have a chance at an early victory in February.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 21st, 1987
“Thank you all for coming out this evening. You all have know me well enough to know that I am blunt when I speak, so I will keep this short.
I have decided to announce my candidacy for President of the United States in 1988.
Many of you, including most of the press, are probably shocked at my statement, so let me give a brief explanation before stockholders start selling off Chrysler.
I chose to make this announcement here outside the Detroit Axle Plant for more than just because it stands as one of the first Chrysler-built factories. I chose it because it stands for everything that I stand for and everything I believe America should stand for.
This is an America where men and women go to work, eight hours a day, from top to bottom. The CEO works just as hard as the man on the assembly line, and the pay isn’t so significantly different that the head of the company can’t get a drink with a man who is actually making the car.
This is an America where work is plentiful and the assembly line worker who starts working in the company from age 20 has a chance to wind his way up the ladder, valued by his company every step of the way.
This is an America that refuses to fold in the face of hardship, an America that feels a sense of loyalty to the people that make it run each and every day, no matter the size in which they do.
Unfortunately, both the candidates on the right and the left have failed the people countless times. This is why I’m stepping into the race.
To be honest with you all, just as I plan to be honest in office, I was planning on sitting the race out. Then I saw Hart and Jackson pulling the Democrats to the left and Quayle pulling the Republicans to the right.
America was not meant to be governed by emotion and partisanship. The presidency was not created as something to kill and be killed for; it was made to be akin to the captain of a ship, turning the wheel ever so slightly to avoid rough seas.
I plan to run for the Democratic nomination, as I believe that the rampant liberalism displayed by Jackson and Hart are dangerous and unseemly for the present and future of America.
When I asked my good friend Tip O’Neill his advice, he said I couldn’t be an effective President because I was a businessman.
Well, everyone, I believe the reason I will be the most successful President in decades is because I’m a businessman. This country must be run like a company, and I am the man to do it.”
-Lee Iacocca, announcing his candidacy for President of the United States, Detroit Axle Plant, Detroit, Michigan
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 23rd, 1987
“Your guy is doing pretty good, Jerry,” said D. James Kennedy, founder of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and long-time member of the Moral Majority, “Maybe he has a shot at this thing after all.”
Falwell snorted at the suggestion, sending a wave of confusion through the lounge of the Moral Majority headquarters. The crowd at this meeting was made up of the most influential members of the Majority; pastors, congressmen, even a couple senators sat around the room.
Only one man in particular was missing; Dan Quayle.
“Let’s get something straight,” Falwell started, “the final goal of this campaign is not a President Quayle. No, that is not the goal. That is not the hill we will all die upon.”
“If I may ask, Jerry, what is the point of this endeavor then? I’m planning on endorsing Quayle in the coming weeks and if he’s not in it to win it, I’m going to look a fool.” The words of Senator Jesse Helms carried much weight in the room. Falwell knew, as did most everyone in the room, that Helms’ spoke for the politician side of the Moral Majority.
“That’s the beauty of it, Jesse. We aren’t in it to win it, he is. Sure, he’ll get the money he needs to stay in until the convention, and we’ll all pull our weight to get him support. But I must stress that this is not a plan that come to fruition in this election cycle.”
“I think I speak for my colleagues when I say I am mighty confused,” Congressman Trent Lott stated as others nodded, “can you explain a bit further?”
Falwell mocked impatience, knowing it never hurt to act the smartest in the room. With a great sigh, he began.
“Looking around this room, it is clear we needed a young, handsome ambassador to connect with today’s generation. Don’t misunderstand me, I believe Pat Robertson is a quality candidate, but he just can’t reach a national electorate. Dan Quayle can reach young and old. Will it be enough to win the nomination? Let’s be real, fellas, that’s not going to happen. The machine behind Bush is just too strong.
And ultimately, a Hart or Iacocca, or God forbid a Jackson candidacy will all most have the ability to beat Bush. If election night comes and we’re stuck with a President Hart or President Iacocca, guess where the Moral Majority throws the blame? Right at Bush and the moderates he harbors.
In the meantime, here’s what a strong Quayle candidacy buys us. It buys us more and more acceptable conservatives in state government and a few in Congress, emboldened by Quayle’s candidacy. Take yourself as an example, Trent. When Stennis retires, it’s going to be thanks to Quayle voters that you inherit his seat.
It buys us a significant say at the convention - the platform will almost certainly grow more conservative than it is already. You all know how a conservative swing can fire up the convention - I don’t think Bush would dare shun us.
More to that point, it buys us the Vice Presidency. Trust me when I say, if we all follow this plan, Quayle will have enough delegates to cause problems. Bush will bend, and pick him for the spot. If all works in our favor, Quayle won’t accept and Bush will have to put you on the ticket, Jesse.
We all learned how dangerous the Presidency can be with Reagan. If everybody sticks to the plan, we’re only one unfortunate event away from President Helms.”
The room was taken aback for a moment by the shockingly developed ideas that had just fallen from their leaders’ mouth.
“Well, when you put it that way,” Breaking the silence, Helms said jokingly, “President Helms doesn’t sound too bad at all.”
The room broke out into confident laughter, knowing their divine plan would succeed.
Quayle Gains Ground By Pounding the Pavement Early
When Senator Dan Quayle (R-IN) announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in 1988, many Iowa conservatives wrote the young politician off as a joke or a niche candidate.
Over the last three weeks, however, Senator Quayle has changed a lot of minds while shaking even more hands.
One early instance of Quayle’s energy and campaign ethic was an appearance at Manson High School in Manson. At the appearance Quayle stressed the importance of moral values and ethics among the modest crowd.
“Our country’s core values are under attack from not only liberals,” Quayle stated emphatically, “but also communist and socialist infiltrators. In the year 1987 the most silenced demographic is in fact the farmer, the law abiding member of society who only wants to get by in life. With me as your President, friends, the voices of the conservative silent majority ring throughout the slime and sludge of Washington D.C.”
Senator Quayle’s strong message seemed to strike a chord with the lower middle class, mostly white crowd.
“After hearing Quaye tonight, I think he is the true successor to President Reagan, not Bush,” said Evan Perry, 48, a farmer and father of three. “With the liberal ideas everywhere today, we need a man like Quayle to help keep real values in America.”
Only time will tell if Senator Quayle will resonate with a national audience, but in the climate that is the Iowa Republican Caucus, he will almost certainly have a chance at an early victory in February.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 21st, 1987
“Thank you all for coming out this evening. You all have know me well enough to know that I am blunt when I speak, so I will keep this short.
I have decided to announce my candidacy for President of the United States in 1988.
Many of you, including most of the press, are probably shocked at my statement, so let me give a brief explanation before stockholders start selling off Chrysler.
I chose to make this announcement here outside the Detroit Axle Plant for more than just because it stands as one of the first Chrysler-built factories. I chose it because it stands for everything that I stand for and everything I believe America should stand for.
This is an America where men and women go to work, eight hours a day, from top to bottom. The CEO works just as hard as the man on the assembly line, and the pay isn’t so significantly different that the head of the company can’t get a drink with a man who is actually making the car.
This is an America where work is plentiful and the assembly line worker who starts working in the company from age 20 has a chance to wind his way up the ladder, valued by his company every step of the way.
This is an America that refuses to fold in the face of hardship, an America that feels a sense of loyalty to the people that make it run each and every day, no matter the size in which they do.
Unfortunately, both the candidates on the right and the left have failed the people countless times. This is why I’m stepping into the race.
To be honest with you all, just as I plan to be honest in office, I was planning on sitting the race out. Then I saw Hart and Jackson pulling the Democrats to the left and Quayle pulling the Republicans to the right.
America was not meant to be governed by emotion and partisanship. The presidency was not created as something to kill and be killed for; it was made to be akin to the captain of a ship, turning the wheel ever so slightly to avoid rough seas.
I plan to run for the Democratic nomination, as I believe that the rampant liberalism displayed by Jackson and Hart are dangerous and unseemly for the present and future of America.
When I asked my good friend Tip O’Neill his advice, he said I couldn’t be an effective President because I was a businessman.
Well, everyone, I believe the reason I will be the most successful President in decades is because I’m a businessman. This country must be run like a company, and I am the man to do it.”
-Lee Iacocca, announcing his candidacy for President of the United States, Detroit Axle Plant, Detroit, Michigan
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 23rd, 1987
“Your guy is doing pretty good, Jerry,” said D. James Kennedy, founder of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and long-time member of the Moral Majority, “Maybe he has a shot at this thing after all.”
Falwell snorted at the suggestion, sending a wave of confusion through the lounge of the Moral Majority headquarters. The crowd at this meeting was made up of the most influential members of the Majority; pastors, congressmen, even a couple senators sat around the room.
Only one man in particular was missing; Dan Quayle.
“Let’s get something straight,” Falwell started, “the final goal of this campaign is not a President Quayle. No, that is not the goal. That is not the hill we will all die upon.”
“If I may ask, Jerry, what is the point of this endeavor then? I’m planning on endorsing Quayle in the coming weeks and if he’s not in it to win it, I’m going to look a fool.” The words of Senator Jesse Helms carried much weight in the room. Falwell knew, as did most everyone in the room, that Helms’ spoke for the politician side of the Moral Majority.
“That’s the beauty of it, Jesse. We aren’t in it to win it, he is. Sure, he’ll get the money he needs to stay in until the convention, and we’ll all pull our weight to get him support. But I must stress that this is not a plan that come to fruition in this election cycle.”
“I think I speak for my colleagues when I say I am mighty confused,” Congressman Trent Lott stated as others nodded, “can you explain a bit further?”
Falwell mocked impatience, knowing it never hurt to act the smartest in the room. With a great sigh, he began.
“Looking around this room, it is clear we needed a young, handsome ambassador to connect with today’s generation. Don’t misunderstand me, I believe Pat Robertson is a quality candidate, but he just can’t reach a national electorate. Dan Quayle can reach young and old. Will it be enough to win the nomination? Let’s be real, fellas, that’s not going to happen. The machine behind Bush is just too strong.
And ultimately, a Hart or Iacocca, or God forbid a Jackson candidacy will all most have the ability to beat Bush. If election night comes and we’re stuck with a President Hart or President Iacocca, guess where the Moral Majority throws the blame? Right at Bush and the moderates he harbors.
In the meantime, here’s what a strong Quayle candidacy buys us. It buys us more and more acceptable conservatives in state government and a few in Congress, emboldened by Quayle’s candidacy. Take yourself as an example, Trent. When Stennis retires, it’s going to be thanks to Quayle voters that you inherit his seat.
It buys us a significant say at the convention - the platform will almost certainly grow more conservative than it is already. You all know how a conservative swing can fire up the convention - I don’t think Bush would dare shun us.
More to that point, it buys us the Vice Presidency. Trust me when I say, if we all follow this plan, Quayle will have enough delegates to cause problems. Bush will bend, and pick him for the spot. If all works in our favor, Quayle won’t accept and Bush will have to put you on the ticket, Jesse.
We all learned how dangerous the Presidency can be with Reagan. If everybody sticks to the plan, we’re only one unfortunate event away from President Helms.”
The room was taken aback for a moment by the shockingly developed ideas that had just fallen from their leaders’ mouth.
“Well, when you put it that way,” Breaking the silence, Helms said jokingly, “President Helms doesn’t sound too bad at all.”
The room broke out into confident laughter, knowing their divine plan would succeed.