Ep 4. History's Most Doomed Presidential Campaign

Join or Die with Craig Ferguson season 1 episode 4 is titled History's Most Doomed Presidential Campaign. In this episode, host Craig Ferguson is joined by a panel of historians, comedians, and political analysts to discuss some of the most ill-fated and unsuccessful presidential campaigns in American history.

The episode begins with a discussion of the 1988 presidential campaign of Democrat Michael Dukakis, who faced off against Republican George H.W. Bush. Despite early leads in the polls, Dukakis was ultimately portrayed by the Bush campaign as a weak, out-of-touch liberal, and was unable to recover from a series of missteps and gaffes.

Next, the panel discusses the 1972 campaign of Democrat George McGovern, who was soundly defeated by incumbent Republican Richard Nixon. McGovern's campaign was beset by internal divisions, poor strategy, and controversy surrounding his running mate, Thomas Eagleton.

The episode then moves on to the 1884 campaign of Democrat Grover Cleveland, who faced off against Republican James G. Blaine. Cleveland was plagued by scandal and controversy, including rumors of an illegitimate child and accusations of corrupt business dealings. Nevertheless, he narrowly won the election, becoming the first Democrat to hold the presidency since before the Civil War.

The panel also discusses the 1924 campaign of progressive Republican Robert La Follette, who ran as a third-party candidate against Republican Calvin Coolidge and Democrat John W. Davis. Despite his passionate advocacy for workers' rights and social justice, La Follette was ultimately unable to gain support from either major party and finished a distant third in the election.

Finally, the episode delves into the 1968 campaign of Democrat Hubert Humphrey, who faced off against Republican Richard Nixon and third-party candidate George Wallace. Despite his long record of public service and his efforts to distance himself from the unpopular policies of incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson, Humphrey was unable to overcome the public's disillusionment with the Vietnam War and the unrest that had rocked the country in the wake of Johnson's assassination.

Throughout the episode, host Craig Ferguson and his panelists offer insights and commentary on the various campaigns, discussing the factors that doomed these candidates to failure and the lessons that can be learned from their mistakes. Ranging from historical analysis to humorous asides, the discussions offer a fascinating look at some of the most memorable moments in American political history.