1996 Republican Primaries

[Franzl]

It was an interesting year.

Especially that somebody like Pat Buchanan was able to win in New Hampshire, which I think would at least be comparable to Huckabee having won this year. Why do you think Buchanan was sucessful there?

And overall, how close do you think Buchanan was to beating Dole, or what do you think he did wrong to lose?

[WalterMitty]

buchanan was able to do well in nh in 92 and win it in 96 due to his economic populism.  nh has lost thousands of manufacturing jobs over the last two decades.

he was never a threat to win the nomination. 

first of all lamar alexander finished a stong third in nh, and for a short while it looked like he might be dole's main challenger since buchanan's victory had put into doubt dole's coronation.

also, buchanan never did as well in the south as he thought he should. 

[Franzl]

buchanan was able to do well in nh in 92 and win it in 96 due to his economic populism.  nh has lost thousands of manufacturing jobs over the last two decades.

he was never a threat to win the nomination. 

first of all lamar alexander finished a stong third in nh, and for a short while it looked like he might be dole's main challenger since buchanan's victory had put into doubt dole's coronation.

also, buchanan never did as well in the south as he thought he should. 

Why didn't he win Iowa though? Seems like religious conservatism and economic populism would work out well there.

[WalterMitty]

buchanan was able to do well in nh in 92 and win it in 96 due to his economic populism.  nh has lost thousands of manufacturing jobs over the last two decades.

he was never a threat to win the nomination. 

first of all lamar alexander finished a stong third in nh, and for a short while it looked like he might be dole's main challenger since buchanan's victory had put into doubt dole's coronation.

also, buchanan never did as well in the south as he thought he should. 

Why didn't he win Iowa though? Seems like religious conservatism and economic populism would work out well there.

dole had a stranglehold on iowa.  he was a farm state senator.   and it was his third try for the presidency...he had major connections in the state.

dole never did well in nh in any of his 3 presidential runs.  although to this day, dole blames a snowstorm on his defeat in nh in 1988.  george bush was out shoveling snow.  dole thought that was a subtle way of pointing out his disability.

[Franzl]

buchanan was able to do well in nh in 92 and win it in 96 due to his economic populism.  nh has lost thousands of manufacturing jobs over the last two decades.

he was never a threat to win the nomination. 

first of all lamar alexander finished a stong third in nh, and for a short while it looked like he might be dole's main challenger since buchanan's victory had put into doubt dole's coronation.

also, buchanan never did as well in the south as he thought he should. 

Why didn't he win Iowa though? Seems like religious conservatism and economic populism would work out well there.

dole had a stranglehold on iowa.  he was a farm state senator.   and it was his third try for the presidency...he had major connections in the state.

dole never did well in nh in any of his 3 presidential runs.  although to this day, dole blames a snowstorm on his defeat in nh in 1988.  george bush was out shoveling snow.  dole thought that was a subtle way of pointing out his disability.

guess that makes sense, regarding Iowa at least

[Bay Ridge, Bklyn! Born and Bred]

Why do you think Buchanan was sucessful there?

I don't know why Buchanan did so well in NH.   I thought NH voters were sane.

[Nym90]

Why do you think Buchanan was sucessful there?

I don't know why Buchanan did so well in NH.   I thought NH voters were sane.

As mentioned before New Hampshire's economy was really sour especially in 1992. Also, New Hampshire likes "maverick" and anti-establishment candidates in both parties regardless of ideology.

[minionofmidas]

Why do you think Buchanan was sucessful there?

I don't know why Buchanan did so well in NH.   I thought NH voters were sane.

Well, you're pretty alone in thinking that.