When a campaign dies (historical review of US Presidential campaign gaffes)

The BBC ^ | unknown | anonymous BBC story monkey

[alnitak]

Courtesy of the BBC. Enjoy predicting Kerry's demise!

[Celtjew Libertarian]

The pictures they have from Carter on are just... well, worth more than 1000 words.

[Paul Atreides]

Jesse certainly is giving someone the evil eye.

[Always Right]

The key to beating Kerry is getting him inside that tank. Bush's secret weapon will be making Kerry into Mike Dukakis. The Dukakisification of John Kerry will be the stroy of 2004....

[Celtjew Libertarian]

The key to beating Kerry is getting him inside that tank.

I don't know... Kerry is more physically imposing than Dukakis was and has the military in his background. He may actually seem comfortable there.

I think his stylistic vulnerability is the same as Algore's. A tendency to look and act like an elitist twit. His temper may also get him.

[Paul Atreides]

...Mr Gore often reinforced public impressions that he was arrogant.

[chimera]

Another one was the final Reagan-Mondull debate in '84. While many think that the Mondull campaign was doomed from the start (it was, and Ferraro's "you know how Italian men are" gaffe only reinforced the impression that it was a disorganized and silly effort), Mondull ruined his otherwise strong performance in the first debate by looking somewhat like Count Chocula. I wonder if his makeup team was disconnected from reality on that one.

[Always Right]

I don't know... Kerry is more physically imposing than Dukakis was and has the military in his background.

It's not about physical size or military experience. It is about peace protests, calling our soldiers war criminals, voting against virtually all major weapons programs, voting against the first Gulf War, etc...Kerry is very weak on national defense, no matter how many war medals of someone elses he threw away.

[Celtjew Libertarian]

Well... the first debate almost did Reagan in. He did not look good in it and it brought back the questions of whether he was too old.

When Reagan was (indirectly) asked about his age in the second debate and responded that he wasn't about to make "the youth and inexperience" of his opponent an issue, that was the last nail in the Mondale campaign's coffin.

[alnitak]

I hope you have seen this thread: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1082762/posts

[Celtjew Libertarian]

It's not about physical size or military experience. It is about peace protests, calling our soldiers war criminals, voting against virtually all major weapons programs, voting against the first Gulf War, etc...Kerry is very weak on national defense, no matter how many war medals of someone elses he threw away.

Those are issues.... But the article is more about appearances, mannerisms, and styles of the candidates. With the exception of Ford's gaffe in the debate, none of these gaffes had anything in particular to do with policy. Kerry in a tank could look tough and improve his chances, regardless of where he actually stands.

[Prime Choice]

The key to beating Kerry is getting him inside that tank. Bush's secret weapon will be making Kerry into Mike Dukakis. The Dukakisification of John Kerry will be the stroy of 2004....

It would seem that more than a few people agree with you there...

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

What about Gary Hart's advice to reporters to "put a tail" on him?

I think that was classic arrogance in the AlGore style.

[Always Right]

LOL, thanks. They did an great job, just hope DUers don't get their panties in a bind like they did on the fake Fonda-Kerry picture.

[dvwjr]

Absolutely correct about the second Reagan/Mondale debate. Once Reagan got off that line about the "youth and inexperience" of his opponent, the audience in the hall and the one watching TV at home both had a good laugh. Thus reassured about Reagan's fitness and quick wit, the election was over. You could sense it and everyone in the nation who was not wearing blinders knew it also...


dvwjr

[Prime Choice]

just hope DUers don't get their panties in a bind like they did on the fake Fonda-Kerry picture.

Hehehehe. Well, if they do, we oughta break out the cigars and sparkling cider.

Sometimes the best way to tell how well a stone is thrown is by listening for which mutt howls the loudest.   ; )

[rogueleader]

Note that all of these were on television. (Al Gore's Internet remark was originally played on C-SPAN. For some reason, the tape was never played again.)

Television magnifies a candidate's flaws.

[Celtjew Libertarian]

Once Reagan got off that line about the "youth and inexperience" of his opponent, the audience in the hall and the one watching TV at home both had a good laugh.

Even Mondale was laughing. And his laughter seemed genuine.

[atomicpossum]

LOL, thanks. They did an great job, just hope DUers don't get their panties in a bind like they did on the fake Fonda-Kerry picture.

You mean the DUpes?

[Cicero]

I think Reagan nailed it down with "There you go again."

And gore lost more than a few points when he tried to intimidate Bush by looming over him during a debate. Bush didn't intimidate, and the gesture made gore like like a bully and a fool.