It’s the presidential primary of 1968. Young voters care about ending the Vietnam War and rally around anti-war candidates like George McGovern. Democratic Party leaders instead choose moderate Hubert Humphrey, LBJ’s Vice President, a man who has not won a single primary, as the nominee. Young voters revolt at the convention. In the general, Humphrey loses to Nixon.
It’s the presidential primary of 1988. Young voters care about racial and economic justice after years of racist right-wing rule. Jesse Jackson runs on taxing the wealthy and prison reform and single payer healthcare. He builds the Rainbow Coalition, a coalition of black and brown and LGBTQ and working class people. He does better than anyone in the media expected, is suddenly considered the frontrunner. Democratic Party leaders hurriedly consolidate support and resources behind moderate Mike Dukakis, kneecapping Jackson. Dukakis becomes the nominee. In the general, Dukakis loses to HW Bush.
It’s the presidential primary of 2004. Young voters care about ending the Iraq War and removing a right wing president who lost the popular vote from office. Howard Dean runs on ending the war, on reforming the healthcare system, on overturning the establishment. He starts to gain momentum before the Iowa caucus, going from 3% in the polls to frontrunner by early January. The media starts to grumble about his “electability,” about his temperament, about his angry tone of voice. This culminates in a media frenzy around the “Dean scream,” a brief yell at a rally that commentators use to brand him “unhinged.” Democratic Party leaders consolidate behind moderate John Kerry. Kerry becomes the nominee. Kerry loses to Bush in the general.
It’s the presidential primary of 2020…
stormborns
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