Reply #2: Nope, not even close

[Technowitch]

Seriously.

'84 was my 1st Presidential election, and Mondale was pathetic. He was running like an old-style Democrat. His message and policies were great and decent -- but his misunderstood and underestimated the rightward swing this entire country was taking.

Thus, when Mondale admitted that in order to balance the budget, taxes would have to be raised, Reagan ran with it. And ran Mondale right into the ground.

Of course Reagan DID raise taxes later on... but once you're in office, nobody cares whether you've actually kept a promise or not. And also, Ronnie didn't make the mistake Bush Sr did in ever giving that stupid "read my lips" statement.

My spouse has voted in elections going all the way back to Johnson. Neither of us has EVER seen the Dems this energized. Not ever.