Why didnt Pete Wilson do better in 1996

[OSR stands with Israel]

I mean he was a two term mayor of San Diego, Senator for 8 years,and was the incumbent Governor of California who was reelected in a landslide.


Why did he do so bad in the primaries

[Sumner 1868]

1. His history as a RINO.

2. Undocumented immigration in the 1990s was seen as more of a regional (i.e., Southwestern) issue than a national crisis.

3. It was pretty much agreed by the GOP establishment the moment Bush lost in 1992 that Dole would be the next nominee.

[OSR stands with Israel]

1. His history as a RINO.

2. Undocumented immigration in the 1990s was seen as more of a regional (i.e., Southwestern) issue than a national crisis.

3. It was pretty much agreed by the GOP establishment the moment Bush lost in 1992 that Dole would be the next nominee.

1. I thought he was only tepidly pro choice

2. At the very least he should have done better then Pat Buchanan. He  was the Governor of California and considered tough on illegal immigration as well so why would Buchanan do better than him

3. He could have at least come 2nd and he probably would have done better electorally than Dole as well

[Ye We Can]

1. Couldnt speak

2. Terrible fundraiser

3. Had no grassroots support to compensate for 2

4. Dole had establishment R's locked up

[darklordoftech]

1. Pat Buchanan had the Santorumites, the Paulites, and the Trumpists, and

2. Dole could counter Wilson with, "I agree with that position, and unlike him, I've always been pro-life."

[Indy Texas]

1. Couldnt speak

2. Terrible fundraiser

3. Had no grassroots support to compensate for 2

4. Dole had establishment R's locked up

To emphasize #1, it wasn't a matter of his rhetorical style. The man literally was not able to speak for several months due to throat surgery he had right after he launched his campaign.

[dw93]

Even if Wilson made it to the nomination, Clinton still would've won and, IIRC, Wilson was pro choice (correct me if I'm wrong about this), which was a no no in the GOP by then, so that may prompt Buchanan to run third party.

[Dukakisite1988]

He was incredibly bland for a CA governor, especially compared to Reagan, Warren, the Browns, Arnold...