vcczar Posted September 13 Share Posted September 13 Lloyd Bentsen of TX is one of the last two powerful Texas Democrats of the 20th century (Ann Richards is the other). Let me add some insight to his 1970s action. Ralph Yarborough was the only Southern Senator to support Civil Rights and Voting Rights. Yarborough also opposed the Vietnam War. He did all three, knowing it likely killed his reelection chances. Pure Profile in Courage moment. As such, national liberals saw him as an icon. Living in the Lion's Den of Southern militancy and racism, Yarborough did what he though was right, even when he knew it would kill his political career, and he loved serving as US Senator. Liberal TX Dems and National Dems expected Yarborough to be an uncontested nominee and then lose to GOP nominee GHW Bush. However, centrist Bentsen ran, defeated Yarborough, and then defeated Bush, who was expected to win. His rivalry w/ Bush would return again in 1988. His actions: Bentsen, Lloyd 1970 Defeats incumbent liberal icon Yarborough in Sen primary, creating permanent rift w/ liberals Bentsen, Lloyd 1976 candidate for Demo pres nom Bentsen, Lloyd 1987 key foe of Bork nomination to the SC Bentsen, Lloyd 1984 Considered for VP by Mondale Bentsen, Lloyd 1988 Demo nominee for VP on Dukakis ticket Bentsen, Lloyd 1988 Famous debate remarking that Quayle is "no Jack Kennedy." Bentsen, Lloyd 1993 Declines to run for president b/c believes Bush was too popular after Gulf War to lose Bentsen, Lloyd 1993 Sec of Treasury for Clinton, arguably inaugurating what becomes the Clinton boom/surplus Bentsen, Lloyd 1993 Helps w/ ratification of NAFTA Bentsen, Lloyd 1993 Role in Omnibus Budget Act Bentsen, Lloyd 1994 Role in Crime Bill that banned assault rifles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vcczar Posted September 13 Author Share Posted September 13 I would have been livid in 1970, but by 1988 I would have forgiven him. He gets favorable. He did well as Sec of Treasury, and he was a moderate that supported the assault rifle ban. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ConservativeElector2 Posted September 13 Share Posted September 13 1 hour ago, vcczar said: However, centrist Bentsen ran, defeated Yarborough, and then defeated Bush, who was expected to win. His rivalry w/ Bush would return again in 1988. Sounds like a based Wrestling storyline. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rezi Posted September 13 Share Posted September 13 I feel like we should give this series its own subforum within the Politics Forum. Because right now, anybody who wants to post anything else here is gonna get quickly drowned out by this series. Would also make it easier to find them in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vcczar Posted September 13 Author Share Posted September 13 3 minutes ago, Rezi said: I feel like we should give this series its own subforum within the Politics Forum. Because right now, anybody who wants to post anything else here is gonna get quickly drowned out by this series. Would also make it easier to find them in the future. I'm okay with that. If you have the power to move them, you could do that now. I'm about to head out for the rest of the day. Won't be back to do anything until tomorrow. Then out early in the morning. So will probably be close to 24 hours for when I can do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rezi Posted September 13 Share Posted September 13 13 minutes ago, vcczar said: I'm okay with that. If you have the power to move them, you could do that now. I'm about to head out for the rest of the day. Won't be back to do anything until tomorrow. Then out early in the morning. So will probably be close to 24 hours for when I can do that. Unfortunately I don't believe I have that power. I'm pretty sure only you and Dakota do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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