Description: Meg Vaillancourt analyzes the results of the Wisconsin primary elections. She compares the election results for Democratic presidential candidates Michael Dukakis and Jesse Jackson. Vaillancourt reports that Wisconsin represents Dukakis' first victory in a mid-western state; she adds that Jackson is attracting more white voters than he did four years ago. Vaillancourt notes that Jackson is appealing to the hearts of voters while Dukakis appeals to their heads. Vaillancourt also analyzes the election results for Democratic candidates Al Gore and Paul Simon. Vaillancourt talks about the candidates chances in the upcoming New York primaries. Vaillancourt's report includes footage of Jackson campaigning and marching with striking workers, Dukakis campaigning.
1:00:12: Visual: Footage of Michael Dukakis (Democratic US Presidential candidate) at a campaign rally in Wisconsin. Dukakis says that it is time for some competence in the White House, after seven years of charisma. The crowd applauds for Dukakis. Shot of Dukakis speaking; of Dukakis talking to supporters seated at a table. Meg Vaillancourt reports that early returns show Dukakis leading in the Wisconsin primary; that the Wisconsin victory is the first for Dukakis in a mid-western state. V: Footage of Dukakis at a campaign rally. Dukakis says that he wants to be known as "the great builder," not as "the great communicator." Vaillancourt reports that Dukakis was the first choice of Catholic, Italian and Jewish voters in Wisconsin. Vaillancourt notes that the Dukakis campaign argues that Dukakis is the only Democratic candidate who is able to beat George Bush (Republican US Presidential candidate). V: Footage from a 1988 Dukakis campaign advertisement. Vaillancourt reports that Jesse Jackson (Democratic US Presidential candidate) attracted huge crowds at campaign rallies in Wisconsin; that many of those voters ended up voting for Dukakis. V: Footage of Jackson at a campaign rally in Wisconsin. Jackson dons a blue T-shirt over his shirt and tie. Jackson shakes hands with audience members. Footage of Jackson talking about employment at a campaign rally. The audience applauds. Vaillancourt reports that Jackson walked with striking workers and talked with laid-off workers. V: Shots of Jackson marching with striking workers; of the marching workers. Vaillancourt reports that Jackson and Dukakis split the labor vote in Wisconsin; that labor leaders in Massachusetts campaigned for Dukakis in Wisconsin; that the Massachusetts labor leaders talked about the "Massachusetts Miracle." V: Footage of Dukakis speaking at a campaign rally; of Jackson talking about employment at a campaign rally. Vaillancourt reports that early returns show that Jackson will receive 90% of the African American vote and 25% of the white vote. Vaillancourt notes that Jackson is doing better with white voters than he did four years ago; that 15% of Jackson voters in Wisconsin are registered as Republicans. V: Shot of Jackson with supporters. Footage of Dukakis at a campaign rally. Vaillancourt reports that Jackson's campaign appeals to the hearts of voters; that Dukakis' campaign appeals to the heads of voters; that Dukakis's campaign strategy has been vindicated. Vaillancourt reports that Al Gore (Democratic US Presidential candidate) spent $300,000 on campaign ads in Wisconsin; that Gore pulled 15% of the vote. Vaillancourt notes that Gore has begun to place himself as the champion of Israel; that Gore is hoping that this position will play well with voters in the New York primary. Vaillancourt reports that Paul Simon (Democratic US Presidential candidate) did not do well in Wisconsin; that he is expected to put his campaign on hold tomorrow. V: Shots of Gore speaking; of Simon. Vaillancourt reports that the New York primaries are next; that Dukakis's win in Wisconsin will probably put a stop to efforts to draft Mario Cuomo (Governor of New York) as a potential Democratic candidate in the New York primary elections.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 04/05/1988
Description: Meg Vaillancourt reports that Jesse Jackson defeated Michael Dukakis in the Michigan caucuses. Jackson's performance exceeded the expectations of political analysts and has led them to consider the possibility of Jackson winning the Democratic nomination. Some analysts are questioning the state of the Dukakis campaign. Interviews with Robert Kuttner (author of The Life of the Party) and Leslie Dach (Dukakis campaign). Kuttner says that Jackson appeals to working class voters. Dach defends the Dukakis campaign and adds that Dukakis has a strong base of support. Vaillancourt notes that the Democratic establishment would be shaken by a Jackson victory. Interview with Jeffrey Garin (Democratic Party pollster). Vaillancourt's report includes footage of Charlene Drew Jarvis (delegate to the Democratic convention) on the MacNeil Lehrer Newshour and footage of Jackson and Dukakis campaigning.
1:00:07: Visual: Footage of Jesse Jackson (Democratic US Presidential candidate) campaigning in Connecticut. Supporters chant, "Win, Jesse, Win." Shot of Jackson holding a young white girl. Jackson gives the thumbs-up sign to supporters. Shots of Jackson supporters; of Jackson addressing supporters at a campaign rally. Meg Vaillancourt reports that Jackson did well in the Michigan primary election; that Jackson won the African American vote; that Jackson won 20% of the white vote. V: Footage of Robert Kuttner (author of The Life of the Party) saying that none of the white candidates have "touched a nerve." Kuttner says that Jackson appeals to voters because he represents the average working man and woman. Vaillancourt reports that Michael Dukakis (Democratic US Presidential candidate) did not do as well as Jackson in Michigan. Vaillancourt notes that Dukakis does not appeal to working class people. V: Shots of Dukakis at a campaign rally. Footage of Kuttner saying that Jackson's message is appeals to working class voters more than the messages of other Democratic candidates. Footage of Leslie Dach (Dukakis campaign) being interviewed by Vaillancourt. Dach says that Dukakis has a strong base of support. Shots of Dukakis; of Jackson with supporters and press. Vaillancourt reports that one news network predicts that Jackson and Dukakis are in a tie for delegates; that the Democratic Party must face the possibility of a Jackson victory. V: Footage of Jeffrey Garin (Democratic Party Pollster) saying that the Democratic Party will have a hard time facing a Dukakis defeat. Footage of Kuttner being interviewed by Vaillancourt. Kuttner says that the Democratic establishment is afraid of a Jackson victory. Shots of Jackson with supporters at a campaign rally. Footage of Kuttner saying that the economic self-interest of many voters is stronger than racism. Vaillancourt reports that Jackson must convince voters that he can run a government; that Dukakis must convince voters that he has enough passion. V: Footage of Dach saying that the voters will choose the candidate who can deliver on his promises. Shot of Jackson at a campaign rally. Vaillancourt reports that there are questions about the loyalty of some Dukakis supporters. V: Shot of Dukakis campaigning. Footage from The MacNeil Lehrer Newshour of Charlene Drew Jarvis (delegate to the Democratic convention) saying that she will not reveal how she will vote at the convention. Vaillancourt reports that Dukakis's loss in Michigan raises questions about his campaign; that Jackson's success leads analysts to wonder if he could win in a general election.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 03/28/1988
Description: David Boeri reports that Pat Robertson, a Republican US Presidential candidate, is confident of success in the Super Tuesday primary elections. Robertson has strong support in the South. His success could threaten the campaigns of candidates in both parties, including Al Gore. Interview with Robertson, who says that he is the only conservative candidate in a position to win. Al Gore and Tipper Gore campaigning. Republican candidate Jack Kemp. Jackson campaigning in New Hampshire. Boeri reports that Jesse Jackson did well in the Iowa caucuses, and expects to do well in the New Hampshire primaries. Interview with Jackson.
1:00:07: Visual: Footage of Pat Robertson (Republican candidate for US President) being interviewed by David Boeri. Robertson predicts that he will place among the top three candidates in the New Hampshire Primary; that he will win every state in the Super Tuesday presidential primaries except for Missouri and Maryland. Shot of Robertson at a campaign rally. A large banner behind him reads "Americans for Robertson." The audience applauds. Footage of Robertson speaking in New Hampshire on September 25, 1987. Robertson says that a few people can change the course of the nation. Boeri reports that Robertson has always projected an air of confidence; that Robertson placed second in an upset in the Iowa caucuses. Boeri notes that Jack Kemp (Republican candidate for US President) has lost conservative votes to Robertson. V: Shots of Robertson waving to supporters; of Kemp speaking; of Robertson waving as he exits an airplane. Boeri notes that Robertson's base of support lies in the South. V: Footage of Boeri asking Robertson if he expects to be a frontrunner after the Super Tuesday primaries. Robertson says that he is the only conservative candidate who is in a position to win. Boeri reports that Robertson's success could spell trouble for Republican and Democratic candidates; that the campaign of Al Gore (Democratic candidate for US President) is centered in the South. V: Shot of Richard Gephardt (Democratic candidate for US President). Shot of Al Gore speaking to a small group of people. Tipper Gore (wife of Al Gore) sits beside him. Shots of Gore shaking hands with voters; of Al Gore and Tipper Gore exiting a building. Boeri reports that eight of fourteen Southern and border states allow crossover voting in the primary elections; that Robertson could end up with votes from conservative Democratic voters. V: Footage of Jesse Jackson (Democratic US Presidential candidate) addressing a crowd at the Mall of New Hampshire on February 16, 1988. Jackson says that "the people can win." Shots of Jackson greeting voters. Boeri reports that Jackson did well in the Iowa caucuses. V: Footage of Jackson saying that he will beat Democratic candidates Gore, Gary Hart, and Bruce Babbit in the New Hampshire primaries; that he has not spent much time or money in "Dukakis's backyard." Shot of Jackson having his photo taken in front of the fall foliage in New Hampshire in October of 1987. Jackson turns away from the photographers and enters a building. Boeri notes that Robertson and Jackson are leaving the North to return to their bases of support in the South.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 02/16/1988
Description: Deborah Wang reports that Saundra Graham (State Representative from Cambridge) lost the Democratic primary election to Alvin Thompson (candidate for State Representative) by a thin margin. Wang notes that Graham has a lot of support among Cambridge voters despite her loss in the primary election. Wang notes that Graham has decided to wage a sticker campaign to run against Thompson as an independent candidate in the election. Wang notes that there is no Republican challenger in the race. Wang interviews Graham about her loss in the primary election and about the sticker campaign. Wang's report includes footage of Graham going door-to-door to campaign and to explain the sticker campaign to voters. Wang interviews Thompson about the race. Thompson criticizes Graham for engaging in negative campaign tactics. Wang notes that sticker campaigns are seldom successful and that some voters seem confused about the process. Wang interviews Cambridge voters on the street about the race. Voters were not aware of Graham's sticker campaign. This tape includes additional footage of Graham campaigning in Cambridge and footage of Graham's campaign headquarters.
1:00:10: Visual: Footage of Saundra Graham (State Representative from Cambridge) approaching the front door of a home in a residential neighborhood. Deborah Wang reports that Graham lost the primary election to Alvin Thompson (candidate for State Representative) by a thin margin. V: Footage of Graham being interviewed by Wang. Graham says that the loss was unexpected; that she lost the election by forty-nine votes. Graham says that her supporters were complacent; that her supporters expected her to win. Wang reports that Graham blames herself for not working harder to get her supporters out to vote. Wang reports that Graham has had strong support in Cambridge; that Graham is an advocate of rent control, day care, and affordable housing. Wang reports that Graham has had personal problems in the past year; that two of her sons were arrested on drug charges; that police accuse Graham's sons of dealing drugs out of Graham's house. V: Footage of Graham saying that her personal problems gave some momentum to her opponents. Footage of Alvin Thompson greeting a white man while campaigning door-to-door. Wang reports that Thompson is a long-time Cambridge resident. V: Shot of Thompson greeting two women in the street. Footage of Thompson saying that Graham cannot serve her constituents as both City Councillor and State Representative. Thompson says that the problems facing the city are complex; that one person cannot be in two places at once. Wang reports that Thompson is now the Democratic nominee; that Thompson has no Republican challenger. V: Shots of Thompson campaign signs and stickers. Wang reports that Graham has decided to wage a sticker campaign. V: Footage of Graham approaching the front door of a residential home. A woman answers the door. Graham explains how to vote for her with a sticker in the upcoming election. Graham hands the woman her campaign literature. Graham shakes the woman's hand and leaves the premises. Wang reports that sticker campaigns are seldom successful; that some voters are confused about the process. V: Footage of a white male voter saying that he will vote for Graham because she supports gay and lesbian issues. The man says that he was not aware of Graham not being on the ballot. Footage of another white male voter saying that he did not know that Graham would not be on the ballot. Footage of Graham approaching another home. Wang reports that Graham is waging a campaign to educate voters; that Graham has repeatedly attacked Thompson on his position on rent control and his refusal to engage in a debate with her. V: Footage of Graham saying that she does not understand why Thompson will not debate her. Wang reports that Thompson has complained about Graham's negative campaign. V: Footage of Thompson saying that he will not engage in negative politics. Shots of a Graham campaign sticker; of Graham's campaign headquarters.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 11/02/1988