Description: Meg Vaillancourt reports that Michael Dukakis is the frontrunner among the Democratic presidential candidates after faring well in the Super Tuesday primary elections. Dukakis did well in the Southern states because he had money to travel and to buy advertising time. Jesse Jackson won the African American vote and some votes from southern whites. Vaillancourt discusses the performances of Democratic candidates Al Gore, Dick Gephardt, and Paul Simon. She notes that Gore did better than analysts had predicted. Vaillancourt analyzes the candidates' chances in the upcoming Illinois primary election. Vaillancourt's report includes footage of Dukakis campaigning, footage of Dukakis speaking to the media and footage from a Dukakis campaign advertisement. Vaillancourt's report is also accompanied by footage of Jackson campaigning, by footage of Gore campaigning and by footage of Gephardt and Simon. Vaillancourt's report features footage from a Gephardt campaign advertisement and footage of Dukakis with Walter Mondale.
1:00:14: Visual: Footage of Michael Dukakis (Democratic US Presidential candidate) speaking to reporters. Kitty Dukakis (wife of Michael Dukakis) stands next to him. Dukakis says, "It's a fight for delegates." Shot of Dukakis exiting a voting booth and posing for reporters with Kitty Dukakis. Meg Vaillancourt reports that Dukakis is the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination after the Super Tuesday primaries; that Dukakis did better in the South than political analysts had predicted. Vaillancourt reports that Dukakis targeted districts in which he thought he could do well; that Dukakis focused on states in which he could pick up bonus delegates. Vaillancourt notes that Dukakis's political organization allowed him to compete in the twenty states holding primaries on Super Tuesday; that Dukakis has raised a lot of money to buy advertising time and to travel. V: Footage from a 1988 campaign advertisement for Dukakis. Shots of Dukakis campaigning during the 1988 primary season. Footage of Dukakis speaking to reporters. Dukakis says that he will focus on the Illinois primary next. Vaillancourt reports that Jesse Jackson (Democratic US Presidential candidate) won the African American vote as well as votes from southern whites. V: Shot of Jackson surrounded by media and supporters. Jackson picks up a young girl. He gives a thumbs-up sign to the crowd. Shots of Jackson speaking to supporters. Vaillancourt notes that Jackson's success may be worrisome for the Democratic Party. V: Footage of Dukakis saying that Jackson is a "formidable competitor." Vaillancourt reports that Al Gore (Democratic US Presidential candidate) did better in the South than political analysts has predicted. V: Shots of Gore and Tipper Gore (wife of Gore) visiting a factory. Gore shakes hands with workers. Vaillancourt reports that Gore sees Dukakis as his main competitor for the Democratic nomination. Vaillancourt notes that Gore has been comparing Dukakis' candidacy with that of Walter Mondale (1984 Democratic US Presidential candidate). V: Shot of Dukakis shaking hands with Mondale at a campaign rally in 1984. Vaillancourt reports that Jackson and Paul Simon (Democratic US Presidential candidate) are well known in Illinois; that Gore is not. V: Shots of Gore; of Jackson; of Simon; of Dukakis. Vaillancourt reports that Dukakis has been organizing his campaign in Illinois since October. Vaillancourt notes that Gore is telegenic. Vaillancourt adds that Gore hopes to have success in the North, like Gary Hart (1984 Democratic US Presidential candidate) did in 1984. V: Shots of Gore and Tipper Gore exiting a building; of Hart campaigning in 1984; of Gore speaking at a podium. Vaillancourt reports that Dick Gephardt (Democratic US Presidential candidate) did not do well in the South. V: Shot of Gephardt at a campaign rally. Footage from 1988 Gephardt political advertisement. The political advertisement attacks Dukakis. Vaillancourt notes that Gephardt was hurt by his own political advertisements attacking Dukakis; that Gephardt has had difficulty raising funds. V: Shot of Gephardt with supporters. Vaillancourt notes that there is speculation that Gephardt will skip the Illinois primary. Vaillancourt reports that Dukakis is already in Illinois. V: Footage of Dukakis saying that he has a good chance of winning some delegates in Illinois. Shot of Dukakis getting into a car. Supporters and the media surround the car.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 03/08/1988
Description: Marcus Jones reports that voter support for Jesse Jackson (Democratic US Presidential candidate) appears to be growing with each primary election, despite being labeled as "unelectable" by political analysts and the media. Jones notes that Jackson is gaining support from white voters and other voters outside of his political base. Jones suggests that critics are dismissive of Jackson because of his skin color. Jones' report includes footage from an interview with Bob Beckel (political analyst). Beckel says that Jackson will have to convince white voters and the media to see beyond his skin color. Jones' report features footage of Jackson campaigning, footage of Jackson at a candidates' forum and footage from a Jackson campaign advertisement. Jones' report also includes footage of Jackson saying that his race should not be an issue in the campaign.
1:00:07: Visual: Footage of Jesse Jackson (Democratic US presidential candidate) at a campaign rally in New Hampshire on February 16, 1988. Jackson say that his campaign has defied the odds; that his campaign has been winning "uphill battles." Shots of the crowd. Marcus Jones reports that political analysts and the media have called Jackson the "most unelectable candidate in the race for the White House." Jones notes that support for Jackson seems to be growing. V: Footage of Jackson announcing his candidacy in November of 1983. Footage from a 1988 political advertisement for Jackson. Jones notes that Jackson's candidacy in 1983 made history; that Jackson's victories in 1988 are exceptional. Jones adds that Jackson is gaining support from voters outside of his African American base. V: Footage of a white male saying that Jackson will win in the South; of another white male asking, "Why not?" Shot of Jackson at a campaign rally; of Jackson exiting an airplane. Jones notes that voters in Maine, Vermont, Minnesota, and other states are supporting Jackson. V: Footage of a white male in New Hampshire saying that critics are creating a negative image of Jackson. Footage of Jackson at a televised forum in Dallas. Jackson sits on stage with other Democratic candidates. Jackson says that the US should not be overly dependent on oil from the Persian Gulf; that every youth should have the opportunity to go to college. Jackson criticizes the defense policy of Ronald Reagan (US President). Jones suggests that critics are calling Jackson unelectable because of his skin color. V: Footage of Jackson in New Hampshire on October 12, 1987. Jackson says that the issue of his race should be left to "God"; that the issue of his credentials should be left up to the voters. Footage of Bob Beckel (political analyst) saying that Jackson addresses issues that other candidates are afraid to address. Beckel says that Jackson will have trouble convincing white voters and the media to see beyond his skin color. Beckel says that Jackson has "no shot" at winning. Beckel says that the situation is unfair to Jackson. Footage of Jackson at a campaign rally in New Hampshire. Supporters chant, "Win, Jesse, Win." Jones notes that Jackson's base of support continues to grow.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 03/04/1988
Description: Meg Vaillancourt reports that Lee Atwater, the Chairman of the Republican National Committee, visited Massachusetts for a Republican Party fundraiser. Vaillancourt reports that Atwater is optimistic about the Massachusetts Republican Party and has been making efforts to recruit minorities to the Republican Party. Students at Howard University protest Atwater's trusteeship at Howard University. Critics accuse the Republican Party of racist politics. David Duke, former Ku Klux Klan wizard, at a press conference. Vaillancourt notes that Atwater denies exploiting racial issues in 1988 presidential campaign advertisements. Vaillancourt's report features footage of Atwater speaking at the fundraiser. Atwater predicts that the next governor of Massachusetts will be a Republican. Atwater defends the Willie Horton campaign advertisements and condemns David Duke. Atwater shakes hands with Herman Wheeler, the President of the MBTA Police Officers Association, who recently switched his allegiance from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Jesse Jackson addresses students at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government
1:00:00: Visual: Footage of Lee Atwater (Chairman, Republican National Committee) speaking at a Republican fundraiser in Watertown, Massachusetts. Atwater says that Massachusetts will see no real progress until the state elects a Republican governor. Shots of audience members listening to Atwater. Meg Vaillancourt reports that Atwater visited Massachusetts for a fundraiser; that he was not afraid to attack former rival Michael Dukakis (Governor of Massachusetts). V: Footage of Atwater speaking at the press conference. Atwater says that he can "smell" a Republican victory in the Massachusetts air. Shot of Atwater shaking hands with attendees of the fundraiser. Vaillancourt reports that Atwater has had a few setbacks recently. Vaillancourt reports that one of Atwater's goals is to increase minority membership in the Republican Party; that Atwater was recently forced to resign from the Board of Trustees of Howard University when African American students staged a three-day protest. V: Footage of student protests at Howard University on February 8, 1989. Vaillancourt reports that students were angry over the Republican Party's exploitation of race in the presidential campaign. V: Shot of a black and white photo of Willie Horton (furloughed convict). Vaillancourt reports that Atwater denies that the Republican Party exploited race in the Willie Horton campaign advertisements. V: Footage of Atwater speaking at the fundraiser. Atwater says that the Republican Party was opposed to Dukakis's criminal furlough program. Vaillancourt reports that critics say that racist politics resulted in the election of David Duke (former wizard of the Ku Klux Klan) as the Republican candidate for governor of Lousiana. V: Footage of Duke at a press conference; of a Duke campaign sticker. Footage of Atwater at the fundraiser. Atwater says that Duke is a racist "charlatan"; that Duke has no place in the Republican Party. Atwater says that the Democrats should focus on Reverend Louis Farrakhan (Nation of Islam leader). Shots of attendees at the fundraiser. Vaillancourt reports that Atwater highlighted the efforts of the Massachusetts Republican Party to attract African American voters; that Atwater welcomed a president of an MBTA patrolmen's union. Vaillancourt notes that the president of the patrolmen's union has switched parties. V: Footage of Atwater shaking the hand of Herman Wheeler (President, MBTA Police Officers Association). Atwater tells Wheeler that it takes courage to switch parties; that the Republican Party needs courageous members. Shot of audience members, including Ron Kaufman (Republican National Committee). Vaillancourt reports from the Republican Party fundraiser. Vaillancourt says that Atwater's speech to the Massachusetts Republican Party was optimistic. Vaillancourt notes that the Republican Party has recently lost two special Congressional elections; that there is another special Congressional election in Wyoming tomorrow. Vaillancourt reports that some are wondering why Atwater is not in Wyoming today. V: Footage of Atwater saying that he would risk being called an "outsider" if he went to Wyoming to campaign. Atwater says that he hopes the Party will win the election in Wyoming; that "all is not lost" if the Party loses the election. Atwater says that special elections do not portend the results of the next election cycle. Shots of attendees at the fundraiser; of Atwater greeting attendees. Vaillancourt reports that Atwater has a lot of work ahead of him.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 04/25/1989
Description: Christy George reports that critics have charged George Bush's presidential campaign with exploiting racial fears among white voters. George notes that there is controversy over the Bush campaign's Willie Horton advertisement, which criticizes Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis's furlough program in Massachusetts. George's report includes footage of the Horton advertisement and footage of Jesse Jackson criticizing the advertisement. George interviews Dr. Alvin Poussaint (psychiatrist) about racism in the campaign and in Bush's political advertisements. Poussaint says that white voters see Horton as the "universal" African American criminal and that African Americans are associated with crime in the minds of whites. George reports that the Bush campaign advertisement does not use the face of William Horton (furloughed prisioner), but that campaign advertising by Bush supporters has used Horton's face. George notes that Bush has disassociated himself from the groups producing these ads. George's report includes footage from a political advertisement produced by "Americans for Bush." Poussaint says that the "Americans for Bush" advertisement is racist. He adds that Dukakis may lose white votes if he complains too much about racism because Americans do not like to be called racist. George notes that Poussaint believes that Horton's face triggers associations with other negative images of African Americans. Poussaint goes on to analyze race in US pop culture and in US politics. George's report is accompanied by images of African American figures in US politics, sports, and culture and by footage from Saturday Night Live of a satirical campaign advertisement. George's report is also accompanied by footage of Dukakis at a campaign rally.
1:00:12: Visual: Footage from WBZ-TV of Jesse Jackson (African American political leader) speaking from a podium. Jackson says that the Willie Horton advertisement has been used to conjure up "psycho-sexual fears" of African American men among whites voters. Shot of a black and white photo of William Horton (furloughed prisoner). Christy George reports that critics have charged George Bush's presidential campaign with exploiting racial fears among white voters. V: Footage of Dr. Alvin Poussaint (psychiatrist) being interviewed by George. Poussaint says that white voters see Horton as the "universal" African American criminal. George reports that Poussaint had supported Jackson for president; that Poussaint now supports Michael Dukakis (Democratic US presidential nominee). V: Footage of Poussaint saying that African Americans have long been associated with crime in the minds of whites. Poussaint notes that the rape of white women by African American men has always been a sensitive issue. Footage of the Bush campaign's Willie Horton advertisement. George notes that Horton's face is not shown in the Bush campaign advertisement about Dukakis's furlough program in Massachusetts. George notes that many of the prisoners shown in the Bush campaign ad are white. George adds that the Bush campaign is asking a legitimate questions about the Massachusetts' furlough program. V: Footage of Poussaint saying that Bush would have raised the issue of the furlough program even if Horton were white. Shots of George Bush (Republican US presidential nominee) speaking from a podium. George reports that Bush supporters have not been cautious about using Horton's face in their campaign literature. V: Footage of Dukakis addressing a crowd at a campaign rally on October 19, 1988. Dukakis holds up a piece of Bush campaign literature. Dukakis says that the campaign literature is "garbage." The crowd applauds for Dukakis. George reports that Dukakis has attacked the race-baiting campaign literature of a group of Bush supporters from Illinois. George notes that Bush has disassociated himself from the group's literature. V: Footage of Poussaint being interviewed by George. Poussaint says that Dukakis may gain minority votes by complaining about the subliminal racism of the Bush campaign; that Dukakis may lose white votes if he complains. Poussaint says that Americans do not like to be called racist. George talks about a campaign ad paid for by a group called "Americans for Bush." George notes that many have called the advertisement racist; that the advertisement has been running for months in key states. V: Footage of the "Americans for Bush" campaign advertisement. Footage of Poussaint saying that the Horton case can be used to exploit the association of African Americans with crime and drugs. George notes that the campaign's subliminal racial messages have become the subject of satire. V: Footage of a satirical campaign advertisement from Saturday Night Live. George reports that Poussaint believes that Horton's face triggers other negative associations with African Americans. V: Shot of a black and white photo of an African-American man in the custody of white police officers. Shots of the Reverend Louis Farrakhan (leader of the Nation of Islam) and Tawana Brawley (New York State resident); of the Reverend Al Sharpton (African American community figure); of a group of white people moving through a crowd; of Bernard Goetz (New York City resident) walking down a street. George reports that Poussaint is a consultant to the Cosby Show; that Poussaint advocates positive images of African Americans. V: Footage from The Cosby Show. George reports that The Cosby Show is the most popular show among white South Africans. George adds that Poussaint does not believe that an abundance of positive African American role models will change white attitudes. V: Shots of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrating a win; of Stevie Wonder (pop singer); of Colin Powell (National Security Advisor to Ronald Reagan); of Magic Johnson (basketball player); of Bishop Desmond Tutu (Black South African leader) with Dukakis. Shot of the floor of the Republican Political Convention. George reports that Poussaint believes that whites do not find African American heroes and leaders threatening. George adds that Poussaint believes that whites transfer their fears to African Americans in their proximity. V: Footage of Poussaint saying that white women react to the color of his skin when they meet him on the street at night.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/25/1988
Description: Hope Kelly reports that John Sasso, the former Chairman of Michael Dukakis' 1988 campaign, addressed members of the World Trade Club and spoke about the campaign. Sasso spoke about the Democratic Party, the role of Jesse Jackson, and the failure of the Dukakis campaign to win over voters. Sasso talks about the need for the Democratic Party to recognize Jackson's leadership. He also says that negative political advertising was not the reason for Dukakis's defeat. Kelly reviews Sasso's career and his role in the 1988 presidential campaign. She reviews Sasso's resignation from and return to the Dukakis campaign. Kelly's report includes footage of Dukakis and Jackson at the 1988 Democratic National Convention and footage of Sasso during the 1988 presidential campaign.
0:59:07: Visual: Footage of John Sasso (former chairman, 1988 Dukakis campaign) saying that he and Michael Dukakis (Governor of Massachusetts) are taking the time to reflect on the successes and failures of the campaign. Hope Kelly says that Sasso has been taking stock of the 1988 Dukakis campaign. V: Footage of Sasso addressing the World Trade Club. Sasso talks about the need to identify the lessons to be learned from the 1988 campaign. Kelly reports that Sasso says that the Democratic Party needs to recognize the role of Jesse Jackson (African American political leader). V: Shots of Jackson addressing a campaign rally; of Jackson greeting supporters in the street; of Jackson hugging a supporter. Footage of Sasso speaking at the World Trade Club. Sasso says that Jackson has "an original mind;" that Jackson is a "gifted motivator." Sasso says that the Democratic Party needs to find the courage and skill to relate properly to Jackson. Sasso says that Jackson will trouble the Democratic Party until they recognize his role. Shot of Jackson, Jaqueline Jackson (wife of Jackson), Dukakis, and Kitty Dukakis (wife of Dukakis) sitting together at an event in July, 1988. Shots of Dukakis; of Jackson. Audio of Sasso saying that Democratic Party leaders need to get organized to do a better job. Footage of Sasso saying that he does not agree with those who say that negative advertising played a big role in Dukakis's defeat. Kelly reports that Sasso believes that there was a fundamental failure on the part of the Dukakis campaign. V: Shots of the audience at the World Trade Club luncheon. Sasso says that the Dukakis campaign failed to make voters realize the need for a change in leadership. Kelly reports that Sasso reflected on the state of the Democratic Party; that Sasso made no reference to the personal feelings of himself or Dukakis. V: Shot of Dukakis speaking. Sasso stands at his side. Kelly reviews Sasso's role in the Dukakis campaign, including his resignation in September of 1987. V: Footage of a CBS news report from September of 1987. Dan Rather reports that the Dukakis campaign was responsible for damaging revelations about Joseph Biden (US Senator). Dukakis speaks from a podium. Dukakis acknowledges that Sasso provided tapes about Biden to the New York Times. Sasso appears at press conference to resign. Kelly notes that Sasso had also worked on the campaign of Geraldine Ferraro (former US vice-presidential candidate). V: Footage of Ferraro at a campaign rally. Shots of Dukakis and Ray Flynn (Mayor of Boston) sitting in the audience. Sasso whispers in Dukakis' ear, then moves away. Kelly reports that Sasso rejoined the Dukakis campaign after an 11-month absence. V: Footage of Sasso at a gathering. A woman says "Welcome home" to Sasso. Footage of Sasso speaking to the media after his speech at the World Trade Club. Sasso says that his absence from the campaign had nothing to do with Dukakis's loss.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 01/19/1989