1972
The electorate had to choose between
the Nixon administration, which represented (rightly or wrongly) an unpopular war and a conservative morality that took no part in the counterculture movement and "free-love" revolutionor
challenger George McGovern, who was seen as leading (rightly or wrongly) a rambunctious crowd of hippies and defeatists.
Nixon was reelected, winning over 60% of the popular vote and in nearly all the states, by the famous "Silent Majority", who rejected the McGovern campaign's perceived defeatism and lack of respect for America.
Nixon was reelected, winning over 60% of the popular vote and in nearly all the states, by the famous "Silent Majority", who rejected the McGovern campaign's perceived defeatism and lack of respect for America.
1976
The electorate had to choose between
Incumbent Gerald Ford, who had replaced Nixon after the latter's scandalous second term was cut short by an impending impeachmentor
Former US Senator and Georgia governor Jimmy Carter. The voters threw out the Republicans and elected Carter. After a few years in office, especially after the hostage crisis began, the public began to change it's mind aboout it's decision. They looked back over Carter's term and recalled his sad, serious face telling them time and again of one depressing event or another about which we could do little to stop : the oil crisis, the hostage crisis, Billy Carter ... :-)
More than anything, I think, the silent majority was disturbed by Carter philosophy, which seemed inward-looking, limiting and sad. Early in his term, Carter had said:
"We have learned that more is not necessarily better, that even our great nation has its recognized limits, and that we can neither answer all questions nor solve all problems."
In 1980, this did not contrast well with the red, white and blue hopefulness and high flown rhetoric of Ronald Reagan.
The only question I have is: is the silent majority (if it even exists) still patriotic and naturally conservative, or has the majority of the country converted to materialism and modernism? Is the core of the country still proud to be an American, or are we just a bunch of people who want free abortions, euthanasia and nationalized health care?
7 comments:
very nice! hahahahaha
Poor Barack, you're not exactly comparing him with favourable presidents/candidates.
Well, I don;t know much about McGaovern, but I am not talking about my own feelings, just an obvious perception among those who voted against him (Nixon's victory in the popular vote was the third-largest on record, and really the first because the other two came early in the Repoublic, when many states did not use a popular vote).
As for Carter, I disagree with his policies, but I find him a likable, though tragic, figure.
Rats! I'm having a devil of a time getting text and pictures to cooperate here. Anybody have advice?
Well, ... Nixon was a demagogue, pretty much like our pal Obama, right? (I mean, the man knew how to sell).
And Jimmy Carter was a likable and popular figure... pretty much like our pal Obama, right? :-)
Lucian,
I am thinking more along the lines that:
The electorate may choose McGovern this time. I.e. they may choose the way-left liberal and eschew the right-wing candidate. If they do this, it will signal, in my eyes, a significant change in the mentality of our populace.
Also, I think that Obama may becoem a Carter - someone who harps endlessly on our national faults and loses in the next election to someone who believes in the America, the Constitution, etc.
How I wish the Spirit of '72 would indeed rise up! But, as is usual when the election nears, I am feeling pessimistic.
Post a Comment