Why didn't Bentsen run for President in '88 in the first place?!
He possibly still held bitter memories of his utter failure in 1976. But that is my own speculation.
That probably is the case Joe. Boy did he screw up his campaign in '76. Now I would have easily preferred Bentsen to have been the Democrat's candidate in 1976 than that peanut farmer from Plains. If only he performed better....
He was up against some heavyweights in '76 though. Udall, Jackson and, yes, Carter. By 1988 he was an elder statesman and a very respected figure in his party... surely he would have been a firm favorite for the nomination?
