Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Who was Bob Dole's running mate in 1996?

I'm watching football as I type this question, so this seems like a good one.  Not sure what I mean?  Then you may not get the answer right.  The question, off Pocket Trivia: U.S. History, is as follows: Who was Bob Dole's running mate in 1996?  Was it Dan Quayle, Lamar Alexander, Jack Kemp or Pat Buchanan?

Not Lamar Alexander.  Alexander ran for the Republican nomination in 1996 and 2000 - he had previously served as U.S. Secretary of Education  and Governor of Tennessee.  Alexander never won the nomination, but was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002, then reelected in 2008, where he still serves.

No, not Quayle.  The former Vice President, perhaps best known for his infamous quotes and spelling ability, (potatoe, anyone?), was V.P. from 1988-1992, but did not run with Dole in 1996.

It wasn't Pat Buchanan either.  The conservative activist ran for President in 1992 (he actually scored a stunningly high 38% in the New Hampshire primary against incumbent President George H. W. Bush) and 1996 (this time winning New Hampshire against Bob Dole), but did not run on a ticket with Dole.

The correct answer is Jack Kemp.  The one-time Bills Quaterback and seven-time all-star made a transition to politics in 1970, when he was elected to Congress from New York.  Kemp ran unsuccessfully for President in 1988, ultimately losing to George H.W. Bush, but he was appointed as Secretary for Housing & Urban Development in the Bush Administration.  Kemp was picked to run with Bob Dole as his V.P. nominee in 1996, an election that they ultimately lost.  Kemp retired from politics after the unsuccessful run.  Kemp died of cancer in 2009.

We are done until Thanksgiving is over - so, Happy Thanksgiving, and we'll see you on Monday!

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