At the outset of the 1996 contest for the Republican presidential nomination, then-Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole emerged as the early frontrunner. After serving at the GOP vice-presidential nominee in 1976 and vying unsuccessfully for the nomination in 1980 and ’88, it was “his turn.” The Dole juggernaut seemed unstoppable until he refused a check from Log Cabin.
He recovered from that, but, as the first caucuses and primaries approached, seemed to be slowly losing momentum. People began to wonder if the only reason for backing him was the seeming inevitability of his nomination. He only eked out a narrow victory in the Iowa caucuses (besting Pat Buchanan by 3%), a contest he had won handily eight years previously. After losing New Hampshire to that egotistical demagogue, he went on to win the Republican nomination, but, never really finding a theme to animate his campaign, lost to incumbent Bill Clinton that fall.
As we see Clinton’s wife locked in a tight three-way contest in Iowa as her lead began to evaporate in New Hampshire, I’m wondering if Democrats are having the same kind of frontrunner’s remorse that Republicans had for Bob Dole nearly twelve years ago.
Both were seen as the candidates of their respective party’s establishment. Both didn’t seem to stand for anything, but their own ambition for the White House. Both are strong political partisans. Hillary, to be sure, has an ideological streak which Dole lacks.
All that said, the sudden tightening of the Democratic race this year parallels that of the GOP in 1996. Hillary, like Dole, could survive a narrow win in Iowa and a defeat in New Hampshire (or, her case, vice versa) and go on to win the nomination. Should she do so, she would be more strongly situated than was Dole in 1996, running as he was against an incumbent president during a time of peace and prosperity.
Yet, in having to fight for something which she assumed to be hers by right, she has only reinforced public perceptions of her own ruthlessness. As her campaign has attacked her opponents, she has resorted to broad statements and banalties in defending her candidacy, making, in one interview, five references to the Des Moines Register‘s endorsement of her White House bid, rather than answering the question.
That empty rhetoric, in many ways, echoes Dole’s 1996 campaign. Like the GOP nominee that year, Hillary seems to be running for the White House largely because she thinks she’s entitled to the job. She ust knows she’ll do a good job because she’s Hillary Clinton and anyway, someone else says so, so why answer the question.
At least Bob Dole has a good sense of humor and a natural laugh. But, I don’t think he’d look good in a pants suit. And I dare say his classy wife would have better sense than to wear one.
UPDATE: Just read this from Dick Morris, “Hillary has a carefully cultivated impression of invincibility that serves as one of her principal attractions to Democratic primary voters.” He notes that, “Hillary has a real potential for a comeback.” Whereas Buchanan’s extremism made him easier for Dole to defeat when it became a two-man race, Morris believes Obama’s inexperience could play against him once the spotlight focuses on him should the Illinois Senator prevail “in the first few primaries.” Read the whole thing!
until he refused a check from Log Cabin.
That was the catalyst for his downfall?
Anyhoo, I read somewhere that it wasn’t Dole himself who refused it, but a campaign manager or somebody like that. Maybe it was in Rich Tafel’s Party Crasher
Weird… I left a comment about Dole refusing the Log Cabin Republicans’ donation over at Captain’s Quarters, and then I come over here and you mention it as well! I wonder if it’s a trend?
I didn’t know the Captain had posted on it. Must have done so siince I last checked his blog–about an hour before writing this.
OIC. It was a comment to a good post on Ron Paul keeping a donation from a white Supremacist. I wonder how Andrew Sullivan will explain that, given his his endorsement of the Texas Congressman’s bid for the GOP nomination.
Billary has an ideological streak? REALLY??? If you believe her, you’d believe anything. She waffles more than Eggo. There was nothing wrong with Dole, but plenty is wrong with Billary.
Although I don’t know about who did not accept the check from the Log Cabin folks, I do not think it would have been Dole himself, from what my dim recollections bring to mind.
One thing for sure — if we had elected Dole, we wouldn’t have had that clown that won stare us in the eyes and, believing we’re morons, tell us that he didn’t inhale.
Shoot. Don’t insult my intelligence and expect me to vote for you.
What is “is”? What is “sex”? Billy Boy has ushered in a whole new lack of morality where teen girls from good backgrounds in private schools are lining all the boys up and not having sex with all of them, one after another. Another takes cell phone pix of her crotch and emails it to everyone. It’s not sex, right?
The difference is the repub field in 96 was weak. Dole could bumble and stumble but hardly be challenged. HRC has a formidable opponent in the Big BO. He has money, organization and style!
Go Big O!
There are two must-see biographical movies on-line about Hillary Rotten..
http://www.hillarythemovie.com/trailer.html
and
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7007109937779036019
1) I polls would suggest refusing their check probably didnt hurt his campaign.
I dont know what happened there, but that post should read:
1. I polls would suggest his refusing their check didnt hurt his campaign,
ok, i give up. theres supposed to be 4 points and a link there. dunno what i did wrong.
The Dole campaign totally played HRC in 1996. They solicited the donation and then returned the check. It was despicable.
As for Hillary, I’m not a fan. I haven’t actually made up my mind but it seems that most Republicans haven’t either. I guess right wingers are disappointed that she might not get the nomination since they have spent four years planning the attack ads against her. Now whatever will they do? Maybe they can find a decent candidate of their own to run? Maybe one without an arrest record this time?
Refusing the HRC check won votes from the religious right. That was the point. Pandering to the anti-gay movement. It obviously didn’t win him enough votes to win the election, though.
So you support unprovoked bombing of Pakistan, ghillie?
Planning attack ads??? Are you crazy? No planning required! they entirely write themselves!
Travelgate, Whitewater, Rose Hill, Pardongate, Cattle Futures insider trading, Countless illegal campaign contributions, and I better stop there because I could literally go on for ages.
Oh, and lets not forget America hates her.
the Clintons have engaged in more real corruption in any given week than the entire Bush administration and republican party combined has in the past 8 years.
Hell, all we’d need to do is end every commerciall with a Hillary look-alike entering the set and stealing all the furniture!
That’s just it. Whenever you tell the truth about liberals, they scream that you’re attacking them.
You’re not supposed to be smart enough to see them for what they are.