Friends, you might want to check out this article. It notes some interesting parallels between the star-crossed campaign of Michael Dukakis in 1988 and that of Joe Biden in 2020. What it fails to mention is another important parallel. Crime, which was at all-time highs in the late 80s, was a major issue in 1988 that worked heavily in favor of George H.W. Bush. The Dems had been weak on crime since the 1970s, at least, and after 1988 they worked feverishly to shore up this political deficit. That's why establishment Democrats like Joe Biden embraced crime bills in the 90s, lest we forget. Well, now a "law and order" election may be looming again. Will Republicans ride Americans' sense of insecurity all the way to victory once again? We shall see. The big difference between now and then, of course, is the Dems' shift to the radical left, coupled with Biden's geriatric foibles. All in all, I don't believe that 1988 and 2020 bear much resemblance to one another, but still -- we should learn from history whenever we can.
https://spectator.org/biden-dukakis-presidential-race/
In fact, 1988 and 2020 do have a resemblance to one another. It's the same type of morons running for President, then and now.
ReplyDeleteDr.Waddy and Ray: Few public figures disgusted me more than Dukakis. When he laughed at Bush I and was backed up the "moderator",the haughty and disdainful foreigner Peter Jennings,at one of the debates it turned my stomach. And his disgraceful and fawning sympathy for murderers,proven by his insane and and lethal "furloughs" for such as the subhuman butcherer of a boy; show him to be a reflexively contemptuous elitist ideologue bereft of any understanding of everyday people and every day life. He even bring himself to stoop to face the victims of his folly, unfortunates savaged for life by a will ful and depraved subhuman for whom Michael had such touching compassion. He was one of three very bad people the all knowing all"feeling" Dems proposed for our White House within a space of ten years.
ReplyDeletelife
"couldn't even bring himself. . .
ReplyDeleteRay -- ha! I dunno. It's not the "same type of morons". Imbecility has evolved since '88, if you ask me. Our leaders may be more craven, but I don't regard them as any less intelligent, frankly. Now, the voters have REALLY hit the skids!
ReplyDeleteJack, Dukakis was a tin-eared elitist, to be sure. He was a great fall guy, though. In that respect, perhaps more than any other, he may be VERY similar to Biden!
Dr.Waddy and Ray: Yeah,Dukakis messed up big time and no one deserved more to be humiliated. His elitist presumptions were so obvious. Biden is a bit more modest but then he has much to be modest about. President Trump is a canny wise aker and he knows how to bamboozle postering fools.
ReplyDeleteAs far as our Presidents of The United States of America go, quality wise, I would say that there has been a downhill trend since, say John Quincy Adams. With a few possible exceptions, most of our chief executives since then are, in my opinion, mediocre. That's probably the best world to describe them.
ReplyDeletePosturing not postering.
ReplyDeleteJack, I was a big fan of Bush the Elder, but I can't honestly say that I have any strong memories of or feelings towards Dukakis. By all appearances, he didn't evoke much passion in his base either. The Dems are good at nominating such wet noodles.
ReplyDeleteRay, interesting perspective. I would agree that most U.S. Presidents were "mediocre", and indeed most leadership in democracies in general is "mediocre" (arguably by design). It's a very subjective standard, though. To play devil's advocate for a minute, if the goal of politics is to feed at the trough and avoid accountability, then surely our leaders are exceptional, no?
Dr.Waddy and Ray from Jack: I'd suggest though that several great men have become President since JQ Adams. Lincoln, Grant and Eisenhower come to mind, I think.
ReplyDeleteA fair point, Jack. "Great" can mean so many things. I'd say that FDR, JFK, and Reagan were all "great", albeit each in his own way -- and "great" does not always mean "good".
ReplyDeleteDr.Waddy from Jack: Those are interesting choices and since I recently used the term "great dictatorships",I agree that great is not necessarily good.
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