General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: How many DUers are old enough to have experienced our bad losses? [View all]fadedrose
(10,044 posts)is that when Carter won the nomination, and all the Democratic bigwigs were onstage during the applause, Ted Kennedy refused to shake the hand that Carter offered him because he wanted the nomination for himself.
Carter governed almost all by himself, having received token support from the Senate. There were other problems other than the hostages not being released - there were interest rates, energy shortages, etc. It seems we shot ourselves in the foot because of a divided party.
I remember Ted Kennedy becoming a superstar to the left after that loss, not before. There was no progressive left, just moderates.
I'd like to better remember the platforms these candidates stood on when Carter won the nomination...the South did not particularly care for the Kennedys so it was a map thing.