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“All of us must try to hold ourselves to the very highest standards of integrity and ethics, and soundness of judgment... ”


January 27th, 1987


“A nation’s future is shaped in its schools and halls of learning. When we neglect investment in our youth, we neglect investment in our future. Instead I believe we should recreate our nation as a citadel of information and of knowledge - a beacon to those at home and around the world who seek liberty through learning and justice through education, even as we maintain the strength of our arms in the defense of our democracy. Let us resolve to increase the strength of our minds in the pursuit of democracy’s values - life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The test of our dedication to our nation, to our most basic sense of patriotism, is not our willingness to sacrifice our lives, though if necessary we will do so in the defense of our nation. A test of genuine patriotism today is our willingness to invest our personal and national treasure in the skills and talents of our young people, the future of this nation. I believe America will meet this test, not simply because we have no other choice but because it has always been in our national character. No greater tribute could be paid by the generation which founded this nation and the generations which will lead it into it’s third century than a declaration of a new independence - a declaration of freedom from ignorance and economic domination and a new dedication to the proposition that the flame of democracy burns brightest in a free and educated human mind. Thank you very much.”


Disembarking from the podium, Gary Hart waved to the young crowd packed into Duke University’s Baldwin Auditorium, smiling and taking in the moment. He knew he was a bit rusty as a campaign speaker after his loss in 1984, but if every crowd was as receptive as this once he declared the nomination would be a slam dunk. These are my people, Hart thought to himself, the college kids that that “Where’s the beef” bastard Mondale could never reach. These are the people that are going to put me in the White House.


After shaking a couple hands, Hart was led out of the auditorium and into a back room where his campaign manager, Susan ‘Sue’ Casey, stood wringing her hands, her face as white as a sheet.


“What’s wrong, Sue?” Hart asked with a smile, “Did Cuomo jump in the race already?”


“Sir, um, I don’t know how to tell you this. It’s your wife.” Hart’s expression changed from jovial to a mix of confusion and fear.


“What about Lee?” Hart demanded, anger and terror rising in his voice.


“She, um, well, she was in a…” Casey wiped the sweat from her brow and spat out, “she was in a car accident.”


“Well, for god’s sake Sue, is she alright?” The cool was gone from Hart’s face entirely and he was nearly screaming at his campaign manager.


Casey couldn’t bring herself to answer; she simply shook her head no, a symbol which, in it’s simplicity, crushed the very soul of Senator Gary Hart.

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Being the self-aware people we are, Pug and I wanted to keep this introduction short. However, we would be remiss if we didn't mention our inspirations on this website. It is because of you that this even exists, so thank you to:


Emperor Julian, for all of the incredible work on A Ruins of An American Party System Parts I, II and III.


Nofix and Gonzo for the incredible No Southern Strategy, who's format we don't mean to copy but will be an inspiration throughout the timeline.


Pericles, who's timelines have inspired us mightily, especially through the use of visuals.


And also AdrianoChika, who's election coverage style of writing also inspired us greatly.


There are countless others but we are running out of space - if you were left out here please know we didn't forget you. It was this entire community that helped us gain the experience to write this timeline.


Now, we didn't want to ask ourselves questions in this intro, but there is one that I am pretty sure is burning a hole in all of your brains right now that needs to be confronted up front and right away. You must be thinking...


Who the hell are these two and why are they writing a timeline?


In a completely serious tone, that is a really good question. I myself have never written a timeline before this. Pug has written like a gazillion but has never gotten past the fifth post, let alone finished one. This would usually be a concern - how will we ever keep up the pace to continue this timeline? The answer to that is a lot of pre-research and writing. We plan to do this thing right.
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