Reply #40: Yes, and it's also the "we're good" message that traditionally works

[PurityOfEssence]

Dole is a mean old cuss, and much as he's funny and pretty smart, he's awkward, seems stingy and is ultra-straight. Poppy was an out-of-touch rich guy while Clinton was a gregarious man of the people. Dukakis was a nerd, and that's death in this playground. Mondale couldn't even get his eyes all the way opened and he promised to raise your taxes. Carter (in '80) told you to eat your peas and turn down the thermostat, whereas that big lug Ronnie told you that you were good and it was a bright, bright morning.

Clinton played the "we're good" just as well as Reagan did, and Carter came in ('76) as the picture of homespun honesty. America is good. YOU are good. It works. It's TV. It's crap.