One of the truly weird things about this Presidential election, is the way that both Democrats and Republicans have ignored their most effective lessons in political campaigning. For Democrats, the last time they truly routed the Republicans in a Presidential election, was when Lyndon Johnson crushed Senator Barry Goldwater in 1964. Johnson's repertoire included a long resume of legislation and long name recognition, as well as tremendous political infighting skills. If Kennedy was the charismatic image of the Democratic Party in 1960, Lyndon Johnson in 1964 was the unstoppable force. Yet no Democrat has copied the LBJ model since then.
It's not as though the Republicans have been smarter, however. Ronald Reagan was undeniably the most successful Republican President in more than a century, and he absolutely destroyed Jimmy Carter in 1980 and Walter Mondale. His composition of personal authenticity and clear conservative values appealed to Americans across the board. Yet no Republican since Reagan has made a serious effort to run a 'Reagan-style' campaign.
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2008 Presidential Race
Comments (1)
Barry Goldwater lost becuas... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Corky Boyd | June 13, 2008 7:40 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Barry Goldwater lost becuase he was a very uninspiring poltician. He was also a very poor politician. He spoke before the AFL-CIO and lectured them on what they were doing wrong. Would have been best to just stay away.
He won the nomination the same way Obama has won his. Better organization and steamroller tactics. The fates of both will probably be the same.
The one consolation in 1964 was watching the most eloquent and powerful spokesman for conservatsm, Ronald Reagan make "THE SPEECH". No political speech before a or after has inspired me so. It gave hope we would some day have a conservative in the White House. Took 16 years.
Out there somewhere is the next Ronald Reagan. I would love to see Bobby Jindal make his "THE SPEECH". Would help McCain and it would help Jindal.
1. Posted by Corky Boyd | June 13, 2008 7:40 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 13, 2008 19:40