Letter from Washington

With less than eight months remaining before Iowa, former Delaware Governor Pierre “Pete” du Pont just may be poised to challenge the front-runners. George Bush has lost some ground (though less than anyone expected) owing to his perceived role in the Iran-Contra affair, with his lead narrowed to seven points over Bob Dole. Curiously, Dole is also losing ground, as former Bush supporters gravitate toward the second-tier candidates: Haig, Kemp, Laxalt, du Pont, and Robertson. “The polls show tremendous softness, especially among the front-runners,” says a Kemp campaign aide. “The voters are starting to look past name recognition.”

No single candidate is seen as the dominant beneficiary of the ebbing enthusiasm for the top echelon; no second-layer aspirant has gained more than a percentage point or two. Yet media observers are almost unanimously praising du Pont, notably for his early June performance at the Iowa Republican Conference and his debate with Bruce Babbitt. Although du Pont has yet to show any real movement in the polls, his reform proposals for Social Security, farm policy, and welfare have won considerable press acclaim. Predictably, other candidates wrote off these accolades as the musings of bored journalists. “There’s some media fascination with the way Pete’s running his campaign,” notes a strategist working for a Republican rival, “but that’s only because he’s such a dark horse.” Prediction? “If he were really in the race, the press would be vivisecting his views and mauling him.” Watch out, Pete. First they build you up, then they tear you down.

Featured Tags

Manage following

Presidential Election

With less than eight months remaining before Iowa, former Delaware Governor Pierre “Pete” du Pont just may be poised to challenge the front-runners. George Bush has lost some ground (though less than anyone expected) owing to his perceived role in the Iran-Contra affair, with his lead narrowed to seven points over Bob Dole. Curiously, Dole is also losing ground, as former Bush supporters gravitate toward the second-tier candidates: Haig, Kemp, Laxalt, du Pont, and Robertson. “The polls show tremendous softness, especially among the front-runners,” says a Kemp campaign aide. “The voters are starting to look past name recognition.”

No single candidate is seen as the dominant beneficiary of the ebbing enthusiasm for the top echelon; no second-layer aspirant has gained more than a percentage point or two. Yet media observers are almost unanimously praising du Pont, notably for his early June performance at the Iowa Republican Conference and his debate with Bruce Babbitt. Although du Pont has yet to show any real movement in the polls, his reform proposals for Social Security, farm policy, and welfare have won considerable press acclaim. Predictably, other candidates wrote off these accolades as the musings of bored journalists. “There’s some media fascination with the way Pete’s running his campaign,” notes a strategist working for a Republican rival, “but that’s only because he’s such a dark horse.” Prediction? “If he were really in the race, the press would be vivisecting his views and mauling him.” Watch out, Pete. First they build you up, then they tear you down.