Did Al Gore introduce us to Willie Horton?

[1rudeboy]

I'm looking for a primary source that proves Al Gore brought-up Willie Horton against Michael Dukakis during the 1988 Democrat primary.

I'm asking because a Google search on the topic shows that outfits such as Media Matters pounce on the story. Please, if you have a primary source, share. I'm not interested in blogs quoting blogs or Gore's references to the Massachusetts prison furlough program.

[anniegetyourgun]

Floyd Brown produced the now-famous Willie Horton ad for the National Security PAC in 1988. I believe Brown has his own website.

[Thebaddog]

n Larry King Live after the third day of the Democratic National Convention, Senator Dianne Feinstein of California called the Willie Horton ads which ran in 1988 the biggest cheap-shot in politics. Back in 1988, then-Senator Al Gore of Tennessee ran the Willie Horton ads.

This might help. Google up Dukakis+Gor+Horton for more possibilities

[Leisler]

In the 2000 Democratic primary, former Senator Bill Bradley declared that Gore had 'given birth' to Willie Horton in the 1988 New York primary. Gore denied the allegation. So far, no hard evidence has surfaced, such as interviews or position papers, to indicate that Gore ever mentioned Willie Horton specifically.

What is known for sure regarding Gore is that during a debate at the Felt Forum sponsored by the New York Daily News, Gore took issue with the furlough program. He did not, however, mention Horton by name. He asked it in the form of a rhetorical question, asking Dukakis whether or not he would extend Massachusetts-style furloughs to the federal level. Dukakis' retort was, "The difference between you and me is that I have run a criminal justice system. You haven't." But Dukakis also quickly noted that the furlough program had been changed. (This can be found in Jack Germond and Jules Witcover's book on the 1988 presidential campaign, "Whose Broad Stripes And Bright Stars?", on page 315).

Republicans would pick up the Horton issue after Dukakis clinched the nomination. In June of 1988, Republican candidate George H.W. Bush seized on the Horton case, bringing it up repeatedly in campaign speeches. Bush's campaign manager, Lee Atwater, predicted that "by the time this election is over, Willie Horton will be a household name." [1] Media consultant Roger Ailes was reported to remark "the only question is whether we depict Willie Horton with a knife in his hand or without it."

The Index Card In April 1988, Lee Atwater asked aide Jim Pinkerton for negative research to defeat Dukakis. Pinkerton returned with reams of material that Atwater told him to reduce to a 3x5 index card, telling him, "I'm giving you one thing. You can use both sides of the 3x5 card." Pinkerton discovered the furlough issue by watching the Felt Forum debate. On May 25, 1988, Republican consultants met in Paramus, New Jersey holding a focus group of Democrats who had voted for Ronald Reagan in 1984. After giving the focus group the material Pinkerton provided on the index card, most of the voters switched from favoring Dukakis to favoring Bush. These focus groups convinced Atwater and the other Republican consultants that they should 'go negative' against Dukakis. Further information regarding the furlough came from aide Andy Card, a Massachusetts native whom President George W. Bush later named as his chief of staff during the Florida recount. (The preceding is featured in "Whose Broad Stripes And Bright Stars?" pp. 159-161).

http://www.statemaster.com/encyclopedia/Willie-Horton

You can get Jack W. Germond's book for a buck at

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&tn=Whose+Broad+Stripes+And+Bright+Stars%3F%22%2C&x=48&y=14

[NonValueAdded]

Technically speaking, Dukakis and his administration introduced us to Willie on the front pages of the Boston Globe. There was plenty of outrage when Mike's "lead pipe guarantee" that death-penalty-deserving cases would instead be locked up forever was found to have a "clause" giving dangerous lifers unsupervised weekend furloughs. This was to keep thm "manageable."

The race of Willie Horton was meaningless. The attitude of Dukakis and his staff, including vice governor John F'n Kerry, was everything. The sudden focus on Horton's race was abetted by the media in an attempt to spin out of a campaign-ending revelation.

[1rudeboy]

Google up Dukakis+Gor+Horton for more possibilities.

You didn't understand the gist of my question. I'm interested to see if someone has proof that Gore named Willie Horton during the primary, before the Bush campaign did the same.

Googling what you suggest simply takes me to assorted lib websites debunking it.

[Leisler]

Thinking back on this...

Then still alive Boston Talk Radio host, Jerry Williams, the Boston Herald....were on it. Al Gore knew of Horton as Dukakis was getting killed by him, his furloughs in the alternate media.

There is no doubt that Atwater, Bush got it from either in state Mass criticisms of Dukakis, or from Democrats.

Anyways, it was if not national open knowledge, it certainly was with in Massachusetts. Of course you have to imagine how every more unrespected call in talk radio was then.

[Thebaddog]

I got your point, I offered a path through the groups portion of Google to find the interview where Feinstein made her comments to go further. Beyond that, I suspect you will have to drop a credit card number for deeper investigation.

[Boston Blackie]

If I remember correctly, Gore criticized the Dukakis policy of granting weekend furloughs to convicted murderers sentenced to life without parole. It was a hot topic because Willie Horton escaped while on furlough committing armed robbery and multiple rape of a woman in Maryland. I don’t believe Gore mentioned Horton’s name but it was obvious who he was referring to.

[SunkenCiv]

I'm looking for a primary source that proves Al Gore brought-up Willie Horton against Michael Dukakis during the 1988 Democrat primary. I'm asking because a Google search on the topic shows that outfits such as Media Matters pounce on the story. Please, if you have a primary source, share. I'm not interested in blogs quoting blogs or Gore's references to the Massachusetts prison furlough program.