Had George Bush dumped Dan Quayle back in '92

[muon2]

In 1994 I had the opportunity to meet one of the top campaign staffers for Quayle in '92. He told some fascinating behind-the-scenes accounts. For example in the spring of '92 the Bush team had no idea how disengaged the President seemed to the public, particularly after the famous footage from NH when he didn't recognize a bar code scanner at the general store. The Quayle team felt that if the campaign was to succeed they had to energize a new base of voters. Their internal analysis showed that a rising group of "values voters" were an ideal place to start. The Pres' team didn't show any interest. In order to force their hand the crafted the Murphy Brown statement for Quayle, knowing that it would be perceived in the media as a gaffe. This was supposed to be the entree for the Pres to begin a discussion with values voters, but rather than pick up the ball that was tossed his way or repudiate that direction, Bush left Quayle to twist in the wind for a number of days. The Quayle guys were beside themselves and saw little hope for the Pres after that.