In 1984 I was a teen, but not old enough to vote yet. That didn't keep me and my peers from being interested in the election that year.
For those of you who don't recall (or weren't born yet) in 1984 Democrats Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro challenged Republican incumbents President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George Bush. It was unprecedented: a ticket with a woman. The nation was sort of flummoxed, and everyone was talking about it, a lot.
That was the year then Colorado Senator Gary Hart, former Vice President Walter Mondale and Illinois minister Jesse Jackson all ran for Democratic nominee. Hart lost after Mondale mockery of his new ideas, and Jackson lost because...well, we can all speculate why. History will probably attribute it to his bigoted remarks, largely about Jewish people. History is rarely completely wrong, but it also doesn't always tell the whole story.
Once Mondale secured the nomination, he selected Ferraro as his running mate, and the Woman Question took center stage, despite repeated efforts to make it about experience and qualifications.
Trivia Fact: Do you remember who else Mondale considered as a running mate? Two other women, including Dianne Feinstein. He also considered Henry Cisneros, from San Antonio, Texas, which was a big deal to my family since he was a good friend.
Reagan retained his office in a landslide win. It wasn't even close.
What happened?
That's a long story, but since you asked me, I'll tell you I think it was the Woman Question and the Economics Question.
Again, you may not remember (or have been born yet) but I recall the 70s in vivid technicolor. I remember both energy crises (oh yes, we had the same energy crises back then, and what did we do? DRILL HERE DRILL NOW and release reserves---now how's that working as a long-term plan, my friends??). Who here remembers being assigned days you could get gas at gas stations because supply was so low? By license plate number. Who remembers that being a half a day to a day errand, sitting in the long lines, waiting for your turn at the pump, praying they didn't run out before you got there? Oh yeah, those were the days. 1979. Loads of fun.
And then what happened? Big recession. Terrible recession.
So Reagan came in and applied reaganomics. Then the US recovered and gained a robust economy. (Note: Just because those two sentences followed one another doesn't mean I buy that the first resulted in the second.) So in 1984 we were fat, happy, and feeling a little cocky with our strong economy.
Mondale was my favorite (big shockeroo) despite Reagan and his economic theory. I liked his attitude towards policies for women, and I really wanted him elected so that by the time I was adult there wouldn't be any question about the Equal Rights Amendment (which he promised to pass) and fair salaries. He also promised to end the Cold War and stop nuclear proliferation with a freeze. I was a big fan of that plan too, if for no other reason than I was tired of ruining the knees of my white linen pants in duck and cover drills. But also because, by God, I hoped the Russians loved their children too. (Okay so the 1984 election preceded that song, but the song nailed how many of us felt.)
We were also all feeling very patriotic after a successful Olympics. I was totally in love with Mitch Gaylord, that talented men's gymnast. Of course I loved him for his talent. I support athletes. That's why I went to the parade when the men's gymnastic team came to town and screamed myself hoarse. (Irrelevant note: I wore my favorite new outfit: pink, gray and white plaid Bermuda shorts, a pink short-sleeved cotton summer sweater with wide neck for slipping off the shoulder if one wanted, white sicks with pink and gray dots, and gray and pink loafers. Yes, I remember that outfit and day. Vividly.)
What we weren't feeling was kindly disposed to Mondale, his female running mate, and his liberal economic, diplomatic, and equality policies.
So he lost. By a lot. So back to the woman and money questions.
I think Mondale lost because he chose a female running mate. A lot of people pressured Ferraro to step aside, and in my memory she understandably got a little belligerant about it. That I respected. In my memory, one day, she said she would, if it helped the party. That crushed me. I had no idea what she went through but I could imagine, but I so wanted her to pave that way.
Also, I think he lost because he told the truth. He said taxes would have to go up. He said we'd have to make friends with the Russians. He said we had to reduce the deficit. He did not sing sunshine up voters' asses. He did not say what they wanted to hear (exclusively). He did say what he thought. He said what needed to be said. And it cost him the election.
In 1988, the Democrats weren't even contenders against George Bush, especially after Gary Hart's sex scandal, and the sometimes incomprehensible Dukakis won the nomination. I could vote by 1988---a Democrat even back then---and even I had to swallow hard to cast that ballot.
Trivia Fact: Who remembers Bill Clinton at the Convention? Luckily, he learned brevity is the soul of wit. To some degree. Who remembers Ann Richards at the Convention? "Silver foot in the mouth," she called Bush. I adored Ann Richards. Adored her. Who remembers that Dukakis thought to correct Mondale's error and selected Lloyd Bentsen as his running mate? He thought to appeal to the Southern male vote, and Bentsen wasn't some "liberal New Englander" a phrase that strikes me as a little oxymoronic to some degree. Who remembers Jesse Jackson, once again running, and his ire over being passed up for VP? Oh Jesse.
So what can we take from the election of 1984 and what has come since then? Weigh in. Do you think we've made much progress--enough progress? How do you think the racial and gender factors in 1984 replayed out in 2008?
At least tell me where you were in 1984 (even if it was "twinkle in Mom and Dad's eyes).
What's not to love? All American guy, Olympic gold medalist, reputed nice guy...and...
Copyright 2008 Julie Pippert. Do not reprint or reproduce without permission.
Also blogging at:
Julie Pippert REVIEWS: Get a real opinion about BOOKS, MUSIC and MORE
Julie Pippert RECOMMENDS: A real opinion about HELPFUL and TIME-SAVING products
Moms Speak Up: Talking about the environment, dangerous imports, health care, food safety, media and marketing, education, politics and many other hot topics of concern.
MOMocrats
For those of you who don't recall (or weren't born yet) in 1984 Democrats Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro challenged Republican incumbents President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George Bush. It was unprecedented: a ticket with a woman. The nation was sort of flummoxed, and everyone was talking about it, a lot.
That was the year then Colorado Senator Gary Hart, former Vice President Walter Mondale and Illinois minister Jesse Jackson all ran for Democratic nominee. Hart lost after Mondale mockery of his new ideas, and Jackson lost because...well, we can all speculate why. History will probably attribute it to his bigoted remarks, largely about Jewish people. History is rarely completely wrong, but it also doesn't always tell the whole story.
Once Mondale secured the nomination, he selected Ferraro as his running mate, and the Woman Question took center stage, despite repeated efforts to make it about experience and qualifications.
Trivia Fact: Do you remember who else Mondale considered as a running mate? Two other women, including Dianne Feinstein. He also considered Henry Cisneros, from San Antonio, Texas, which was a big deal to my family since he was a good friend.
Reagan retained his office in a landslide win. It wasn't even close.
What happened?
That's a long story, but since you asked me, I'll tell you I think it was the Woman Question and the Economics Question.
Again, you may not remember (or have been born yet) but I recall the 70s in vivid technicolor. I remember both energy crises (oh yes, we had the same energy crises back then, and what did we do? DRILL HERE DRILL NOW and release reserves---now how's that working as a long-term plan, my friends??). Who here remembers being assigned days you could get gas at gas stations because supply was so low? By license plate number. Who remembers that being a half a day to a day errand, sitting in the long lines, waiting for your turn at the pump, praying they didn't run out before you got there? Oh yeah, those were the days. 1979. Loads of fun.
And then what happened? Big recession. Terrible recession.
So Reagan came in and applied reaganomics. Then the US recovered and gained a robust economy. (Note: Just because those two sentences followed one another doesn't mean I buy that the first resulted in the second.) So in 1984 we were fat, happy, and feeling a little cocky with our strong economy.
Mondale was my favorite (big shockeroo) despite Reagan and his economic theory. I liked his attitude towards policies for women, and I really wanted him elected so that by the time I was adult there wouldn't be any question about the Equal Rights Amendment (which he promised to pass) and fair salaries. He also promised to end the Cold War and stop nuclear proliferation with a freeze. I was a big fan of that plan too, if for no other reason than I was tired of ruining the knees of my white linen pants in duck and cover drills. But also because, by God, I hoped the Russians loved their children too. (Okay so the 1984 election preceded that song, but the song nailed how many of us felt.)
We were also all feeling very patriotic after a successful Olympics. I was totally in love with Mitch Gaylord, that talented men's gymnast. Of course I loved him for his talent. I support athletes. That's why I went to the parade when the men's gymnastic team came to town and screamed myself hoarse. (Irrelevant note: I wore my favorite new outfit: pink, gray and white plaid Bermuda shorts, a pink short-sleeved cotton summer sweater with wide neck for slipping off the shoulder if one wanted, white sicks with pink and gray dots, and gray and pink loafers. Yes, I remember that outfit and day. Vividly.)
What we weren't feeling was kindly disposed to Mondale, his female running mate, and his liberal economic, diplomatic, and equality policies.
So he lost. By a lot. So back to the woman and money questions.
I think Mondale lost because he chose a female running mate. A lot of people pressured Ferraro to step aside, and in my memory she understandably got a little belligerant about it. That I respected. In my memory, one day, she said she would, if it helped the party. That crushed me. I had no idea what she went through but I could imagine, but I so wanted her to pave that way.
Also, I think he lost because he told the truth. He said taxes would have to go up. He said we'd have to make friends with the Russians. He said we had to reduce the deficit. He did not sing sunshine up voters' asses. He did not say what they wanted to hear (exclusively). He did say what he thought. He said what needed to be said. And it cost him the election.
In 1988, the Democrats weren't even contenders against George Bush, especially after Gary Hart's sex scandal, and the sometimes incomprehensible Dukakis won the nomination. I could vote by 1988---a Democrat even back then---and even I had to swallow hard to cast that ballot.
Trivia Fact: Who remembers Bill Clinton at the Convention? Luckily, he learned brevity is the soul of wit. To some degree. Who remembers Ann Richards at the Convention? "Silver foot in the mouth," she called Bush. I adored Ann Richards. Adored her. Who remembers that Dukakis thought to correct Mondale's error and selected Lloyd Bentsen as his running mate? He thought to appeal to the Southern male vote, and Bentsen wasn't some "liberal New Englander" a phrase that strikes me as a little oxymoronic to some degree. Who remembers Jesse Jackson, once again running, and his ire over being passed up for VP? Oh Jesse.
Sidebar: I was on the school newspaper in 1984 (I know! another shockeroo!)...and we ran a poll of how our classmates would vote. If you're curious, here are the results:
Note: Keep in mind kids often vote as their parents do. So...
430 students responded to the survey
82% selected Reagan/Bush
15% selected Mondale/Ferraro
3% undecided
And yet, 50.7% did not consider themselves loyal to any particular party. 40.7% declared themselves Republican, and 8.6% declared themselves Democrats.
Then came the wildcard...if you could vote for anyone...? 5% of the vote went to Van Halen and 2% to Ozzy Osbourne.
So what can we take from the election of 1984 and what has come since then? Weigh in. Do you think we've made much progress--enough progress? How do you think the racial and gender factors in 1984 replayed out in 2008?
At least tell me where you were in 1984 (even if it was "twinkle in Mom and Dad's eyes).
What's not to love? All American guy, Olympic gold medalist, reputed nice guy...and...
Copyright 2008 Julie Pippert. Do not reprint or reproduce without permission.Also blogging at:
Julie Pippert REVIEWS: Get a real opinion about BOOKS, MUSIC and MORE
Julie Pippert RECOMMENDS: A real opinion about HELPFUL and TIME-SAVING products
Moms Speak Up: Talking about the environment, dangerous imports, health care, food safety, media and marketing, education, politics and many other hot topics of concern.
MOMocrats
Comments
In 1984, I was four. So I don't remember those times you've written about, however, I've heard the stories.
I'm not sure I'd agree with you totally on this one though. Yeah, we have the whole "first" thing going, but the mood of the country is very different. We were still positive then. And now?
The energy situation is even more dire than it was then. We might not have the shortages, but we need to find better solutions other than drill, drill, drill.
I do agree that part of the reason Mondale lost was because he told the truth. That and he has the charisma of soggy bread.
And Mitch? Hmm...I was more of a Bart Conner and Tim Daggett kind of girl. Sure, Mitch was fun to look at, but at the end of the day, Bart and Tim would go to the grocery store and pick up milk on the way home. Know what I mean? :)
Proj J...did the drinking help? Because so far? I haven't found it enough consolation. I'm not sure what I'll do if in November... well...
Whirlwind, OY! FOUR! I love your attitude. I don't think I can share it. Maybe I'm too old. I just still think people decide too much based on race and gender. But God love your generation for being the group that LIVES the idea. Boomers broke it down, Xers built it up, and Yers live it. I love it. I hear it takes 3 generations. May your POV rule the day.
I followed politics but I wasn't politically active in that election because I was obsessed with helping my kids adjust to traditional Baldwin Schools. I was absolutely thrilled at Ferraro's candidacy. In Manhattan they had gone to an open classroom pubic school. In Maine, they had gone to a unique one room schoolhouse, across the street from the University of Maine. There were 50 kids from 5 to 18. It was absolutely brilliant. My third child, only 5 when me moved, mourned her lost opportunity to go to Skitikuk for her entire school career. Even my pointing out the school had closed 3 years after we left never assuaged her grief.
They had never had homework, standardized test, worksheets, etc. My 5 year old absolutely refused to make up stories using the teacher's assigned words. "A writer doesn't use someone's else's words," she insisted. My 11 year old waged epic battles against homework. It was a very good traditional school, and the principal was amazingly understanding of divergent thinkers, but it was a painful adjustment for all of us.
My grandma was slowly dying and my dad was disappearing into Alzheimer's Disease. My mother needed a great deal of help and support.
Sorry to be so personal, but that was probably my least involved election.
In 2008? I seldom discuss my political preference because it seems like there is little chance I won't get reamed by someone for it. I still don't believe that any one candidate is going to be capable of doing the things he/she promises. (i.e., the health care reform that was my main reason to vote for Clinton the first time. And yes, I got reamed by people I knew when they heard. And yes, I could get reamed by people when I say that I think that man is a plague in politics and Democratic party needs to stop worshiping the ground he walks on.)
Sigh. So where does that leave me? I don't know. I have no trust. I try to balance they "everybody is human and makes mistakes" philosophy with the "there has to be an evidence of some integrity" philosophy with the realities of the political system we have which gives the House and Senate a lot of power to stop the president and vice versa. How can a president accomplish that much?
I am not looking forward to the next four months. Double Sigh.
Paul Simon: And ... that's ... why ... I ... wear ... the ... bow ... tie.
I, myself, like Peter Vidmar over Mitch or Bart. Call me the odd duck.
I remember waiting in line for gas and checking if you were an odd or an even. I also remember my parents telling me I was too young nto sell soda to people in line.
I thought Geraldine Ferraro was so cool, but Mondale - eh. Remember when his daughter posed for PLAYBOY? I thought he must be embarrassed, and liked him more. The Democrats had a rough road in
'84, fighting a popular encumbent.
I loved Reagan then, and I love him now. Maybe I love him because those were great years for me as a person, and I emotionally tie him in to my coming of age...but most of my years have been pretty great. I have acquired a wonderful education, been fortunate to be raised in nation with boundless freedoms, and know wonderful, intelligent, caring people who believe a variety of things across the spectrum on a number of topics.
I work with kids every day. What a great way to keep hope alive! I've lived under presidents I love, tolerate, and abhor. Whomever is elected, I will support. He will be the leader of what I believe is the best place in the world to live, and I want to support whomever has that daunting task.
Obviously I had different politics to focus on (although we did get a lot of US politics even then).
Bob Hawke had just become Prime Minister, Paul Keating was just a twinkle in his own eye, Peacock and Howard were still stoushing over who was top dog of the Liberals but an unknown Hewson would gain the ascendency and lose at least one election for them on the basis of tax reform.
And I voted Democratic - fat lot of good it did, though.
Reaganomics - alwyas makes me think of Ben Stein in Ferris Buehler - "Blank D-O-O economics. Anyone? Anyone?"
In 1984, I was twenty years old, and voting in my first Presidential election. I held my nose and voted for Reagan because I was sure that Mondale had no chance (I agree with Melissa as to why - he said what people didn't want to hear). I haven't voted Republican in a Presidential election since.
But honestly, I wasn't really paying as much attention to politics back then as I should have; my son was born that summer, and I had much more domestic concerns, in the narrowest sense of the word.
One of the reasons that I love your blog is your grasp on recent history. My memories of the '70's are also pretty vivid, but I tend to think we're in the minority, given the fact that the country seems to be in "doomed-to-repeat-it" mode. Deja vu all over again.
And that Sting song? I love it too, and I think it's still meaningful - it doesn't have to literally apply to the Russians.
And .... that's all I got, babe. But as I was living overseas at the time, I can't really comment on the American reality anyway.
~*
Have we evolved since then? I'm not sure, since we have a Democratic party that had a noninee, oh, wait, not really... then we have a Republican dud. We have a huge national debut, but raising taxes would not have nearly as positive an impact on that as reducing a lot of federal programs. That's the "no sunshine" fact of the matter. Social Security is a system that has no logical reason to work as it stands. Money put in a hole with no interest or any other form of growth appreciation on it should not be expected to fund the number of retirees living well past the initial average age of the system.
I can tell you what I was doing in 1996, as a lead up to that election. I was given the assignment in my AP Government class to get rid of the national deficit by the end of five years or something close to that. I found the assignment far too easy. So instead I got rid of the national debt in seven, with a tax cut in every year but the first. I was too young at the time to realize my plan would've actually worked faster because the revenues of the government would have increased with those tax cuts (that's a verifiable fact, based on Reagenomics and good old fashioned basic economics). Getting rid of the debt like that meant the deficit would be a massive surplus in the future, because at the time, the entire deficity was entirely caused by the interest payments made on the existing debt.
That's the sort of real solution I'd rather talk about. Whether we've evolved or not, we still have to make some headway on energy (and no, drilling alone is not the answer, and not one I've heard anyone propose, personally), the economy, and out of control spending by the government. I don't care who you want to blame for that last one, it's just a fact. I think at least McCain's plans to reduce spending could help there. I'm not satisfied he's close to the best available, but I'm certain Obama would be very dangerous if elected.
LOL! Aside from that little laugh I just had, I was 12 and living in North Dakota. I thought Rowdy Gaines was cool because he shaved his head. I absolutely adored Janet Evans and met her at the Olympic Trials, where I also got Mark Spitz's autograph. (FYI, he was kind of an ass.)
Politics wasn't on my radar much in 1984. Sorry to disappoint, babe. (-; I'll have to ask T his thoughts since he's been a politics freak since birth.
Ah, Reagonomics. We had our own version here in Ontario with the Harris government in the 90s. When they were voted out we'd discovered they'd sold off every crown asset of any value and the deficit, after a decade of tax-cutting, was through the roof.
In 1984? I was tending to computers that occupied like 70,000 square feet of floor space, and had less power than the PC I am using to write this comment. Socal (Chevron) and Gulf Oil were going through a merger (hailed as "the largest to date".) Houston (south of Westheimer and west of Wilcrest) was still mostly pasture land. Oh, and the price of oil would go down by more than 60%(!) in the coming years.
I *did* vote in the election... can you guess for whom?
~EdT.
But mostly, my attention was absorbed by being made miserable by the cruelty of other 13-year-olds.