1984 Primaries (No Reagan)

[Orthogonian Society Treasurer]

The year is 1984 and Gerald Ford's second term as president is coming to a close.

Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker was reinstated by President Ford in 1983 and inflation sits at 4.5%, down from 13% in 1980. Unemployment remains a persistent problem, hovering at 9%. Renegotiation of the SALT II treaty, requiring the USSR to dismantle their SS-9 and SS-18 missile launchers, was spearheaded by Vice President Baker and took place in 1983. The president has pursued an agenda of tax cuts in concert with a significant reduction in federal spending but the Democratic majority in the House has prevented much of the latter. Gerald Ford enjoys a 55% approval rating.

The 22nd amendment prohibits President Ford from seeking another term. The Republican candidates for 1984 are:

Vice President Howard Baker is promising another four year term of fiscal responsibility, peace through strength, and common sense tax reduction.

Televangelist Pat Robertson is running a single-issue campaign centered around abortion in opposition to the pro-choice Baker.

Pierre "Pete" du Pont IV is Delaware's iconoclastic governor and the scion of one of America's most elite families. The governor's platform includes school vouchers, 'workfare', a balanced budget amendment, and creating an alternative to the Social Security program.

On the Democratic side:

At only 48, Senator Gary Hart is the youngest man in the race. Hart's youth, good looks and speaking ability position the young social democrat well to win the nomination but allegations of infidelity threaten to sink his nascent campaign.

Senator Dick Gephardt has promised to reduce America's trade deficit, protect America's manufacturing from foreign competition, and to defend the middle class.

Senator Lloyd Bentsen, elder statesman of the party, is counting on the Jimmy Carter coalition of Southerners, Christians, and moderates to deliver him the nomination.

Finally, Activist Jesse Jackson is running on a left-wing platform of public works projects, universal healthcare, ending the war on drugs, federal reparations for slavery, and denouncing "the apartheid states of Israel and South Africa".

Two days.

[Maxwell]

Bentsen/Gephardt I guess.

[NeverAgain]

Hart/Dukakis. My dream 84 ticket.

[OSR stands with Israel]

Du Point

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

[1] Gephardt
[2] Bentsen

[Wake Me Up When The Hard Border Ends]

du Pont

[Kingpoleon]

Pete du Pont/Millicent Fenwick!

[Intell]

[1] Gephardt
[2] Bentsen

[SATW]

Sorry Baker, but I'm going w/ du Pont.

[Sir Mohamed]

Jesse Jackson, who is a massive FF.

[Mr. Smith]

Gephardt/Brown

[President Johnson]

I like Jesse Jackson most, but would prefer Bentsen due to his experience. Bentsen/Jackson would be nice.

[Mr. Reactionary]

[1] Gephardt
[2] Bentsen

[Bigby]

Gephardt, followed by Baker and then Bentsen. Screw the others, especially Jackson and Roberston.