Another Myth on this Forum: Mondale won because of superdelegates in '84

[theboss]

I've seen this repeated at least four times in the last two weeks. And I understand, because no one on DU was apparently alive prior to 2000.

But the truth is, Mondale had a 600 delegate lead over Hart going into the convention. He was 40 votes short of the nomination after the last primary, but it would have taken a full-scale revolt from the party to keep him from being the nominee because he had an enormous lead.

Those who forget History are probably not doing very well in Pre-Calc either.

[Mabus]

1. You're right

and I'll give you a K&R for visibility.

I'll also add that there was controversy surrounding Hart that didn't help him. The one people remember most is the "Monkey Business"/Donna Rice stuff. But there was some controversy, as lame as it was, over his last name. He was born, iirc, Hartpence but changed his name to Hart. And, again, iirc, the press played it up like Hart had more to hide.

[theboss]

2. The Donna Rice issue was in '88, not '84

The point of my thread is that a lot of people seem to have gotten it into their heads that Hart won more primaries in '84, which is patently false.

[scheming daemons]

4. Hart won 28 primaries, Mondale won 24.... technically Hart DID win more primaries.....

...

[theboss]

7. There were 57 primaries in '84?

Jesse Jackson won 5 primaries. Explain the numbers.

[scheming daemons]

9. Oops... I meant Hart finished ahead in 28 vs Mondale......

Took Jackson out of the equation, since he had dropped out.

[theboss]

10. I'm still not sure that's right. What states did Hart win?

I can't find a list.

[Mabus]

11. Once again you are correct

I did preface my remarks with "if I recall correctly" which shows that my memory is faulty.

I understand the point of your thread and it is a valid point. A very valid point.

[skipos]

3. kick nt

[ORDem]

5. Thanks!

:kick:

[Carrieyazel]

6. Obama is nowhere near a lead of 600 delegates; nor that close to the nom

That's the difference. And Mondale was so close that he had essentially clinched after the final primary in June; not all the way to the convention.

[saltpoint]

8. Mondale won in 84 because Dem voters demanded boredom

and they got it.