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Wake Us When It's over: Presidential Politics of 1984
Analyzes the 1984 U.S. presidential election, looks at the growing strength of conservatism, and discusses the reasons for voter apathy
567 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1985
About the author
Jack W. Germond
8 books5 followersJack Germond was a famous political columnist. He was most well known for his work at The Baltimore Sun, but he was involved in everything from newspapers to television. For a while, he regularly appeared on The McLaughlin Group.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 30, 2019
As the 2020 election approaches, with a powerful personality controversial Repulican president holding about a 50% popularity rating faces a large field of liberal Democrat candidates supporting special interests, I am wondering if the history of 1984 will repeat:
Few people today remember that in 1984, Ronald Reagan was not yet a particularly acclaimed president. His popularity was about 50% and his huge tax cut had resulted in a deep 1982 recession and the largest peacetime federal government budget deficit. His re-election was by no reckoning a sure thing. But what happened? The Democrats nominated an out of touch with the times ultra-liberal candidate who said in his nomination acceptance speech that he would seek a tax increase--and Reagan proceeded to never look back. Reagan would be re-elected by the largest landslide in United States history, and would conclude his term as an icon, and today he remains a legend. Meanwhile, memories of Walter Mondale have essentially faded to oblivion-- when Mondale is recalled at all it is as the Vice President of the disastrous Carter Administration who went on to be the biggest loser in presidential election history.
So why read about or study the 1984 election? Put simply, because it was pivitol, if not evenly contested. In 1984, the Democratic Party showed it was impossible to win as a northern liberal supported by the classic unions and other special interest groups, and that FDR style liberalism was over. The Republicans showed the election of 1980 was indeed a change to conservatism--not just a fluke rejection of the unpopular Jimmy Carter. And throw in the first female vice presidential candidate and the first serious black presidential candidate. Jesse Jackson and Geraldine Ferraro paved the way for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. In many ways, 1984 formed the politics that continues today in 2019, making the politics of 1984 a history worth studying and this well-written book is indeed the definitive account of the 1984 election, authored by two of the most experienced and accomplished political journalists of their time.
What was most clear was the Democrats, who initially at least had a chance to unseat Reagan-- ended up nominating a candidate who despite his personal decency, never had a chance. I remember watching Walter Mondale give his acceptance speech with my grandmother when I was 12 years old, and I remember her saying the moment he said he would raise taxes that the election was over, and she was right. How such an experienced politician made such a monumental error remains a mystery, and Mondale's campaign went downhill from there. It was simply a mess.
At the same time, Reagan's complete disengagement from his own election campaign comes through in this book. The man wasn't involved at all, and his vacant performance in the first debate shook Mondale and even his supporters. We now know Mr. Reagan was indeed showing signs of senility and the eventual Alzheimer's disease he would suffer from in his final years, but at the time, his performance was blamed on just being tired and old. When Reagan aced the next debate, any tiny chance Mondale had was ended.
The 1984 election may not have been a contest, but its history is very much worth exploring and as we head into the 2020 election, if you can find this older book, it is much worth a read!
Few people today remember that in 1984, Ronald Reagan was not yet a particularly acclaimed president. His popularity was about 50% and his huge tax cut had resulted in a deep 1982 recession and the largest peacetime federal government budget deficit. His re-election was by no reckoning a sure thing. But what happened? The Democrats nominated an out of touch with the times ultra-liberal candidate who said in his nomination acceptance speech that he would seek a tax increase--and Reagan proceeded to never look back. Reagan would be re-elected by the largest landslide in United States history, and would conclude his term as an icon, and today he remains a legend. Meanwhile, memories of Walter Mondale have essentially faded to oblivion-- when Mondale is recalled at all it is as the Vice President of the disastrous Carter Administration who went on to be the biggest loser in presidential election history.
So why read about or study the 1984 election? Put simply, because it was pivitol, if not evenly contested. In 1984, the Democratic Party showed it was impossible to win as a northern liberal supported by the classic unions and other special interest groups, and that FDR style liberalism was over. The Republicans showed the election of 1980 was indeed a change to conservatism--not just a fluke rejection of the unpopular Jimmy Carter. And throw in the first female vice presidential candidate and the first serious black presidential candidate. Jesse Jackson and Geraldine Ferraro paved the way for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. In many ways, 1984 formed the politics that continues today in 2019, making the politics of 1984 a history worth studying and this well-written book is indeed the definitive account of the 1984 election, authored by two of the most experienced and accomplished political journalists of their time.
What was most clear was the Democrats, who initially at least had a chance to unseat Reagan-- ended up nominating a candidate who despite his personal decency, never had a chance. I remember watching Walter Mondale give his acceptance speech with my grandmother when I was 12 years old, and I remember her saying the moment he said he would raise taxes that the election was over, and she was right. How such an experienced politician made such a monumental error remains a mystery, and Mondale's campaign went downhill from there. It was simply a mess.
At the same time, Reagan's complete disengagement from his own election campaign comes through in this book. The man wasn't involved at all, and his vacant performance in the first debate shook Mondale and even his supporters. We now know Mr. Reagan was indeed showing signs of senility and the eventual Alzheimer's disease he would suffer from in his final years, but at the time, his performance was blamed on just being tired and old. When Reagan aced the next debate, any tiny chance Mondale had was ended.
The 1984 election may not have been a contest, but its history is very much worth exploring and as we head into the 2020 election, if you can find this older book, it is much worth a read!
January 1, 2021
In “Wake Us When It’s Over,” Jack Germond and Jules Witcover return with another comprehensive, behind the scenes account of an American presidential election. This time, political journalism’s dynamic duo cover the 1984 race between President Ronald Reagan and former Vice President Walter Mondale.
One would not call this a page turner. However, those interested in understanding why President Reagan scored the biggest electoral landslide since the start of the Republic need look no further. Germond and Witcover provide a balanced if at times seeing portrayal of the mistake ridden Mondale campaign. Like Hillary Clinton twenty-eight years later, the former Vice President’s effort - known as Mondale, Inc. for its size and unwieldiness - failed to generate enthusiasm among the grassroots and ordinary voters. On the other hand, President Reagan’s “Morning in America” Madison Avenue campaign succeeded gigantically without offering specifics or an agenda.
Also, a younger Roger Stone makes several appearances and that’s fun in and of itself.
Definitely recommend.
One would not call this a page turner. However, those interested in understanding why President Reagan scored the biggest electoral landslide since the start of the Republic need look no further. Germond and Witcover provide a balanced if at times seeing portrayal of the mistake ridden Mondale campaign. Like Hillary Clinton twenty-eight years later, the former Vice President’s effort - known as Mondale, Inc. for its size and unwieldiness - failed to generate enthusiasm among the grassroots and ordinary voters. On the other hand, President Reagan’s “Morning in America” Madison Avenue campaign succeeded gigantically without offering specifics or an agenda.
Also, a younger Roger Stone makes several appearances and that’s fun in and of itself.
Definitely recommend.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews