Being born in Massachusetts and actually meeting JFK as a young child, I suppose there was a measure of Democrat in our household, at least from my father. My mom couldn’t stand the Kennedy’s. And I never like Johnson. In 1968, I was 13 and met Richard and Pat Nixon. It was a different time but politics was something to be celebrated as an 8th grader. I felt the process was very exciting. As much as I was disappointed by Watergate, Nixon’s visits to China were much more impressive to me. I also liked Gerald Ford very much and wish he could have won the election (I was still too young to vote but I would have voted for him.) Carter was an absolute disgrace. I cast my first vote for Ronald Reagan and have never looked back. I don’t know if this ramble says I’m a Republican or not but I don’t think it simply coincidence that we’ve had the better candidates.
Ford vs. Carter
Reagan vs. Carter
Reagan vs. Mondale
GHW Bush vs. Dukakis
GHW Bush vs. Clinton
Dole vs. Clinton
GW Bush vs. Gore
GW Bush vs. Kerry
Our guys were not perfect, but you can definitely spot the trend as to which guys were better!