The Challenger Gets Mentioned Early
PUBLISHED CORRECTIONS: The March 9 White House Notebook incorrectly identified the Democratic opponent of President George H.W. Bush in 1992. It was Bill Clinton, not Michael Dukakis. (Published 3/10/04)</br></br>PUBLISHED CORRECTIONS: The March 9 White House Notebook incorrectly identified the Democratic opponent of President George H.W. Bush in 1992. It was Bill Clinton, not Michael Dukakis. (Published 3/10/04) "Senator Kerry," Bush said at a fundraising luncheon Thursday in California, "has been in Washington long enough to take both sides on just about every issue."</br></br>It was by far the earliest time an incumbent president has invoked the name of his opponent, even considering the rapid conclusion of the Democratic primary race.</br></br>In 1992, a search of presidential records shows, Bush's father apparently waited until Aug. 17 before making an unprompted mention of Michael Dukakis. In 1996, Bill Clinton made his first unbidden criticism of opponent Bob Dole on July 2. And in 1984, incumbent Ronald Reagan waited all the way until Oct. 12, just weeks before the election, before identifying Walter Mondale, saying: "My opponent, Mr. Mondale, offers a future of pessimism, fear and limits, compared to ours of hope, confidence and growth."</br></br>This is not a mere matter of calendar trivia. It is a sign that Bush has been put on the defensive and forced to join the political fray, long before he wanted to do. Indeed, Bush mentioned John F. Kerry five more times in a speech yesterday in Dallas. Democrats are delighted that they have forced Bush to abandon the Oval Office for the hustings.