[1Old Pro]

Buchanan speaking in prime time cost the GOP the election, and gave us Bill Clinton.

Not likely. Bush LOST the election because he strayed from conservatism, lacked the fire in the belly to take on Klintoon, had mediocre advisors.

[1Old Pro]

Not likely. Bush LOST the election because he strayed from conservatism, lacked the fire in the belly to take on Klintoon, had mediocre advisors. ...

Oh, let's not forget Ross Perot

[Josh in PA]

Bush LOST the election because he strayed from conservatism, lacked the fire in the belly to take on Klintoon, had mediocre advisors.

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He strayed from conservative action during his 4 years in office.. That, resulted in a slower recovery.

I disagree with the second part of your statement,.. His reference to Millie the Dog's foreign policy knowledge was pretty aggressive I thought.

[Alberta's Child]

Bush also lost the election because he wasn't terribly "presidential" -- he really only became President in the first place by default, as Reagan's vice president.

"Default" candidates often end up being mediocre at best. Just ask people like Walter Mondale, Bob Dole, and Al Gore.

[Badeye]

"Buchanan speaking in prime time cost the GOP the election, and gave us Bill Clinton.
Not likely. Bush LOST the election because he strayed from conservatism, lacked the fire in the belly to take on Klintoon, had mediocre advisors."

Bush the Elder was elected with one thing in mind, fulfilling a "third term" for Reagan. The choice of Buchanan was the end result of Bush the Elder running away from Reagan on all fronts for three and a half years. From taxes on down the line, the Elder Bush made mistake after mistake after mistake...and its clear to me it was due to his desire to "be his own man".

He suceeded. He was "his own man" for one term as President.