The moment when Bush I lost to Bill Clinton

[FatDave]

It's hard to believe it's been 16 years. Shit like that makes me feel old.

But anyway, there was a moment from a debate in 1992 that has always stuck with me, and it was the moment that I realized Bush Sr. was finished. I don't remember if it was the first debate or the second or even the third, but I think it was the first town hall style debate. In the week leading up to the debate, Bush had, with the help of the never-more-popular Rush Limbaugh, kicked off an attack based on Clinton protesting the war in Vietnam while he was in Europe. Either during his opening statements or while answering his first question (hey, it's been 16 years, but it was practically the first thing out of his mouth at any rate) Bush launched straight into "...but when a man protests his country in a foreign land blah blah blah..."

The very next person to ask a question from the audience stood up and said something like, "Can we skip the mudslinging and talk about the issues tonight? Like maybe the <specific issue FatDave doesn't remember>?" The attack backfired.

Bush reeled and sputtered, "Sure. Why wouldn't I want to talk about that? I can talk about <specific issue FatDave doesn't remember> all night." He never recovered and Bill Clinton was declared winner of the debate.

I can't wait to see McCain play guilt-by-association in front of a town hall audience.

[tedoll78]

1. McCain is kinda screwed either way.

He can attempt to distract, but it will be obvious (especially in light of his desperate polling situation) and it will turn-off independent and undecided voters.

Or, he can attempt to talk about the issues, which plays right into Obama's hands.

Sucks to be McCain.. hehe..

(on edit, my vote for this year: "The fundamentals of our economy are strong.")

[paparush]

2. I remember Dan Rather, on election night -

"This may not be the whole enchelada, but it certainly is a very big taco!"

I can't recall which state had just gone into the Clinton column.

[timber84]

8. I am probably in the minority, but I miss his funny

descriptions on election night.

[paparush]

9. I do too. I miss Dan in general..though I don't have TV.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. Supermarket scanner and not knowing cost of a gallon of milk.

Throw a little Wimp in there and it was all over.

[RichGirl]

4. I recall the turning point being....

When Bush called Clinton and Gore bozos. That really turned people off. Ah...memories, when people were offended by bozo and today they are okay with terrorist.

[Arugula Latte]

5. Yep, and now one of those "bozos" pals around with Poppy Bush. Go figure.

[FatDave]

7. Well, we've yet to see if they're OK with "terrorist".

Sure, the authoritarian 25% loves it, but I don't think it's going to win McCain any independents or undecideds.

[MessiahRp]

10. Maybe it's because I am younger but..

I always thought the turning point was that interview with Tabitha Soren on MTV. He was a complete rigid asshole to her and I think it turned off a lot of young voters. Let's also remember that this was a time period when MTV had legitimate political and regular news on and dealt with real issues... before it became all about sensationalizing materialism.

Rp

[LibraLiz1973]

6. Pundits always say Bush lost it when he looked at his watch.

Like he had something better to do.

:rofl:

[FatDave]

11. I know in actuality there was no single moment, but this is the one that drove it home to me.

The checkout scanner incident was probably the clincher for most, but I bring up this debate moment because it bears some similarities to this moment in 2008. The first town hall debate and the republican has just gone ugly (though far uglier than Poppy Bush could have imagined).

Am I the only person who remembers this happening?

[leftist.]

12. I hope Rush can do it again with Ayers tonight.

Bring Ayers up right at the start, John. It really does feel like he's going to bring Ayers up at least in the first 15 minutes or so though I could be wrong and probably am. Once he does it's finished. Obama is already prepared for it I'm certain.

[blogslut]

13. I remember when I realized Poppy had lost the American people

A story had made the national news. A new hotel in Chicago(?) had put out an ad to hire approximately 500 employees. 5000 people showed up in a line that wrapped the building. Either during the story or immediately after, a reporter asked Poppy about the economy. Poppy got a bit huffy and exclaimed "There is nothing wrong with our economy!"

I thought to myself - "Well, that's the end of him."