How did George H.W. Bush lose in 1992?

[cpeeks]

If anything Quayle helped Bush he was a the fair haired child of the christian right and he mobilized the base.

[Bo]

If anything Quayle helped Bush he was a the fair haired child of the christian right and he mobilized the base.

No. Quayle hurt Bush Sr. because he was stupid and inexperienced. The religious right already supported Bush Sr.

[sg0508]

That Culture War speech by Buchanan was a killer as it alienated a lot of moderates.  States like DE, NJ and CT, where Bush was polling ahead of Clinton prior, were deficits soon after.

That speech absolutely destroyed Bush.  If you want, go on youtube and listen to the acceptance speeches in 1992 and you'll hear the different tones

[Derek]

Yes but the thing about moderates is that if they truly are moderate it means they don't pay much attention. If they paid closer attention they'd know themselves better politically. Meaning by election day, the "moderates" forgot who Pat Buchanan was.

[cpeeks]

The right was lukewarm at best on Bush, because of his support of abortion and the Ryan White act of 1990. Quayle helped Bush. As far as Buchanan's culutural war speech, Bush was already done he was trailing in some polls by as many as 25 points at that point, and even if Bush carries those 3 states he still doesnt win.

[sg0508]

Yes but the thing about moderates is that if they truly are moderate it means they don't pay much attention. If they paid closer attention they'd know themselves better politically. Meaning by election day, the "moderates" forgot who Pat Buchanan was.

No, it means they agree with both parties on some issues.

[Mjh]

Raised taxes, extension of the civil rights bill, increases in welfare, clean air act, immigration act of 1990, support of abortion rights, spearheaded nafta.....would you like for me to continue?lol

Then I guess Reagan wasn't conservative enough for you either?

[cpeeks]

Well lets see Reagan did raise taxes 13 times and in 1983 tax hike was the largest tax increase in U.S. history at the time.

[Bo]

Well lets see Reagan did raise taxes 13 times and in 1983 tax hike was the largest tax increase in U.S. history at the time.

You mean his 1982 tax hike. Also, Reagan flip-flopped on abortion just like Bush Sr. did.

[cpeeks]

Maybe it was 1982, but i dont remember Reagan flip flopping on abortion and i am old enough to remember when he was in office.

[Derek]

Raised taxes, extension of the civil rights bill, increases in welfare, clean air act, immigration act of 1990, support of abortion rights, spearheaded nafta.....would you like for me to continue?lol

Then I guess Reagan wasn't conservative enough for you either?

Which of those did Reagan do?

[Derek]

Maybe it was 1982, but i dont remember Reagan flip flopping on abortion and i am old enough to remember when he was in office.

What bill raised taxes? Was it income taxes?

[cpeeks]

Im not sure which it was but i will find out.

[Derek]

Let us know.

[cpeeks]

most of it was on new investment

[Derek]

most of it was on new investment

uh huh so it wasn't an income tax increase

[WillK]

Maybe it was 1982, but i dont remember Reagan flip flopping on abortion and i am old enough to remember when he was in office.

What bill raised taxes? Was it income taxes?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_Equity_and_Fiscal_Responsibility_Act_of_1982

[WillK]

Here was a man who succeeded the widely popular Ronald Reagan  ...

Reagan's poll numbers had dropped a lot by the time he left office.

[WillK]

...
During one of the debates, a woman asked him how he could identify with those hit by the recession and his answer was rather stumbling while Clinton did what he was always so good at. I think that was the point where Clinton truly put it in the bag.

I think this is the true reason.  A similar moment occurred when he was doing a photo op at a grocery store and saw a checkout scanner -- he had no idea what it was.  As the new was reporting on struggling economy, there would then be clips of Bush relaxing at his family complex in Maine and racing about in his huge speedboat.  He came across as out of touch, elitist. 

[cpeeks]

Actually Reagan popularity rating was going up when he left office, throughout his administration his numbers stayed in the mid 50's when he left office they  were at 63%. There is a myth that Reagen was so popular  and this just isnt true, in 1982-83 his numbers stood in the upper 30's. Reagan had good numbers but nothing astronomical.

[cpeeks]

And yes I was watching that debate when that happened.

[Derek]

I would've looked at my watch too. That woman was on Clinton's primary staff. That's like saying you can't relate to ppl with cancer because you've never had cancer. Or better yet saying a doctor can't treat cancer cuz he's never had cancer. Gosh what a bimbo. I bet she had no clue what was going on. Oh and her original question was about the national debt. She didn't even have a clue as to what she was asking until the media helped her out.

[cpeeks]

But it did not look presidential, but i dsagree with youn on one thing totally its hard to tell someone with cancer i know what your going through when you never had it. I am curious why are you so in love with Bush Sr.?

[WillK]

But it did not look presidential, but i dsagree with youn on one thing totally its hard to tell someone with cancer i know what your going through when you never had it. I am curious why are you so in love with Bush Sr.?

I think was he is expressing is Clinton hatred, not Bush love.

[Derek]

I didn't say "know what you're going through." I said relate which can even mean help or encourage. It was a set up. I wouldn't say I love Bush Sr. but I have nothing but respect and admiration for his experience, leadership, resume, and credentials. Unpresidential to look at his watch? Maybe let each be their own judge.