Lessons from Past Primaries

[Jackpine Radical]

2. Yeah, I remember that year.

And I remember how much I hated Reagan.

Recent international events included the invasion of Grenada, and almost simultaneously, the explosion in the Beirut Marine Barracks. The little war re-legitimized foreign military adventures after Vietnam, and everyone gave the Administration a pass on having nearly 300 Marines killed in one attack in the Middle East. Compare the press's (and Congress') treatment of THAT with Benghazi.

What I take from thinking back on it is a deeper appreciation of the degree to which the media were calling the shots already back then (before the elimination of the Fairness Act under Clinton).

I am also struck by how good these Hollywood people were at the management of popular myths and images.