1992 Primaries (The Hearse at Monticello)

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

The collapse of the Soviet Union in the early months of 1991 heralded dramatic changes in the international balance of power, leaving the United States as the world's lone superpower. This transformation was coupled with slow but steady growth in the American economy, leading to a decline in the national unemployment rate. For his part, President Mario Cuomo - who took office following his landslide victory in the Election of 1988 - has won a series of important policy victories, most notably the passage of the National Recovery Act in 1989 and the first balanced budget in over two decades. Passed with the support of strong Populist majorities in Congress (in addition to the aid of the American Party's liberal wing), the National Recovery Act established a public works program modeled on the policies of President Earl Warren that has been credited in part with the revival of the U.S. economy. Nevertheless, Cuomo faces strident opposition from hard-line conservatives, who criticized the cuts to defense spending used to balance the budget, as well as from the Populist "Old Guard", which feels the president has not done enough to elevate the working class.

Having declared his intention to seek reelection in 1992, Cuomo faces Arkansas Governor William Madison Clinton in the primary election. The president is running largely on his record, claiming credit for turning the economy around and promising to both maintain the social safety net and pay off the national debt. Clinton, by contrast, has taken a much more radial line, calling for the nationalization of the banks, new subsidies for the nation's farmers, and absolute defense of organized labor. On social issues, the two have split over gay marriage (which Cuomo supports). Speaking more broadly, Cuomo appeals to urban liberals, intellectuals, and middle-class Populists in New England and parts of the Midwest, while Clinton's support comes largely from blue-collar workers in the South and West.

Meanwhile, the American Party prepares once again for a crowded primary season. Among the candidates seeking the party's presidential nomination are Senator Richard Lugar, a respected moderate and foreign policy expert; Senator Barbara Bush, who has led calls to standardize public school curriculums nationally; Senator Arlen Specter, face of the party's dwindling liberal caucus; Governor Pete Wilson, a former aide to Barry Goldwater who has accused Cuomo of being "soft on crime"; and journalist Pat Robertson, a social conservative who has accused the other American Party candidates of "selling out" conservatives by moving towards the center. 

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Is Clinton pro-life, and is the a sizable pro-life people left in the people's party.

While I would say that most elected Populists are broadly pro-choice, there is a noteworthy religious conservative caucus within the party. The sentiment is strongest in the South, where the traditional Populist coalition of blacks and rural whites lends to socially conservative, economically progressive politicians (think William J. Bryan). Clinton has attempted to subtly appeal to this crowd without alienating more liberal voters.

Also, the GE will be up shortly.