“There’s no question in my mind that the man is qualified to be president,” said one dazzled state party official. “I think he’s shifting the mood of the country,” said another. The other candidates were dumbstruck in the face of it. “I remind you that they’re one of the best customers Illinois has,” Bob Dole said in Chicago about Connally’s Japan-baiting, and “very important to rural America.” Tepid applause. Yawn. There was only one problem with track one: ordinary voters didn’t see the appeal.
