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Moderators: while this post does not deal directly with the 2004 democratic primary, I'm believe that those who refuse to study the failures of the past are doomed to repeat them. Thus I present the following summary of how "electability" played a role in the 1996 republican primary.
Before the Election
Representative Henry J. Hyde of Illinois… said Mr. Dole had been a consistent opponent of abortion and was the most electable of the Republican contenders. The New York Times - Feb. 3, 1996
Liddy, who reaches 260 stations from WJFK in Fairfax, leaped to Dole's defense last week. "Bob Dole is eminently electable. . . . When it comes to essential character, this is a man whose blood soaked into the dirt of Europe in World War II fighting for his country." The New York Times - February 8, 1996
"In my heart of hearts, I'd really like to vote for Alan Keyes," said Kay Cheney, a Storm Lake schoolteacher. "But, no, I don't think he can beat Clinton, and that's probably why I'll end up voting for Dole." The Houston Chronicle - February 10, 1996
The national leadership of the Christian Coalition has stayed neutral, but local head Ione Dilley has endorsed Dole -- widely viewed as the most electable and therefore most pragmatic choice. The San Francisco Chronicle - February 12, 1996
"The presidency is not the place for on-the-job training," said Kirkpatrick, a well-respected figure both inside and outside the GOP. "America needs a leader who is already responsible enough to make life-and-death decisions. . . . Bob Dole is an authentic hero." The San Francisco Chronicle - February 15, 1996
Bob Dole is closer to the center than Pat Buchanan, and my sense is much more electable. - Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) Fox Morning News - February 15, 1996
"Don't just tell us what we want to hear," says Donna Martin, a homemaker who wants to vote for Buchanan but may choose Dole because he seems more electable. Bill Shrouds, an accountant and Dole supporter, says he "needs to be a little more passionate about what he believes in." USA Today - March 1, 1996
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole got his presidential bid back on track yesterday, winning the crucial South Carolina Republican primary…With 98 per cent of the vote counted, Dole led with 45 per cent… in an exit poll… 60 per cent thought Dole was the most electable. - The Toronto Star - March 3, 1996
"I didn't feel like I had a choice. I didn't want to vote for him... I just thought he could beat Bill Clinton." -VERONA THOMAS, 68, a Marietta retiree, voted for Bob Dole. - The Atlanta Journal and Constitution - March 6, 1996
Bob Dole's surprising and almost effortless victory in Minnesota's precinct caucuses is seen by some Republicans as a triumph for "electable mainstream conservative candidates," party Chairman Chris Georgacas said Wednesday… Dole… may appeal to party activists as a known quantity, less than pure and not exactly a visionary pioneer but safer and more electable than any other alternative. Minneapolis Star Tribune - March 7, 1996
The chairman of the Florida Republican Party, Tom Slade, said Tuesday's strong showing proved it was time for the party to unify and launch its campaign against Clinton. "After tonight's results, we can say to all parties, it's time to throw water on the fire and call in the dogs," Slade said. "This one's over." Slade said that many party voters had flirted with the novelty of the Buchanan and Forbes campaigns, but after reflection had returned to the most electable candidate. He praised Forbes for putting tax policy on the table. St. Petersburg Times - March 13, 1996
Some supported Dole because he seems electable… Jean Burt, a Republican activist and former Polk GOP chairwoman, said she has not been a passionate supporter of Dole when compared with other Republican candidates. But she said feelings for Dole intensify when he's viewed against President Clinton. - The Tampa Tribune - March 14, 1996
During this primary season, exit polls have shown… Dole is, many say, more "electable." - The Christian Science Monitor - March 15, 1996
After the Election
REPUBLICANS have started to tackle the glaring question of why they saddled themselves with such a poor presidential candidate as Bob Dole - and of who his successor will be… Republicans need to rethink the seniority system which produces candidates long on experience, money and influence but short on charisma. As Rich Bond, a former party chairman, put it: "We're kind of a royalist party. We always go with the heir-apparent." The party was lucky that this tradition gave it the popular and electable Ronald Reagan; more often, it has been saddled with dull fixers such as Gerald Ford, George Bush and Bob Dole. - The London Times - November 11, 1996
Interesting parallels to the primary we're currently in the midst of, no? Of course, our advantage is that support for Bush on the republican side is much weaker than our support for Clinton was in 1996. I mean, how could anybody screw things up faster than that ass-clown currently squatting in Al Gore's house?
My fear is that I look at these quotes and I see exactly the same thoughts and ideas people have been spouting for the last month. Just replace "Buchanon" with Dean (probably a fitting choice here), "Keys" with Clark or Edwards or whoever, etc. I think Dean is probably finished at this point (except for the fact that he can raise the $$$ so easily, can't see the unfavorables improving), and I know most people here have chosen their candidate. But let's just think about we might be doing doing here. Are we seeing history repeating?
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