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Introduction: The '88 Election: Its Meaning for America and the World
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12070 |
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CURRENT ISSUES
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12 / 1987 |
794 Words |
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Pundits tend to describe every presidential election as a "watershed election," but 1988 really is a critical year, for it will bring, as political scientist Gerald Pomper puts it, a generational transfer of leadership, a new agenda for the nation, and a new system of presidential campaigning. Who are the Republicans and Democrats vying to lead the nation into the 1990s? What are the key issues that will dominate the political debate in the coming months? What is the new factor that may well decide the presidential nominations by the first week of March 1988? THE WORLD & I went to leading political analysts for the answers, some of which may surprise even sophisticated observers of American politics.
Analyst Stuart Rothenberg profiles the Republicans, beginning with everybody's front-runner, Vice President George Bush, who is trying to accomplish what such popular politicians as Richard Nixon, Hubert Humphrey, and Walter Mondale were unable to do - move directly into the White House from the vice presidency. His strategy is both simple and difficult: "create his own identity and vision for the country without appearing disloyal to Ronald Reagan." Rothenberg sees Kansas Sen. Robert Dole as Bush's most formidable challenger because of his can-do reputation. But, he adds, "Nobody is quite sure what he wants to do." None of the other serious candidates - former Delaware Gov. Pete du Pont, former Secretary of State Al Haig, New York Rep. Jack Kemp, and television evangelist Pat Robertson - is seen as likely to become the nominee unless both Bush and Dole stumble badly.
With favorite Gary Hart out of the race, every remaining Democrat is now trying mightily to establish himself as number one in the minds and hearts of his fellow
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