Tuesday, November 4th, 2008

First Election?

Can you remember the first time you followed a presidential election? I do. It was the 1980 race between Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. I certainly wasn't following what was happening in the world. If it wasn't Chicago Cubs or Star Wars related, it wasn't a priority. I was, after all, in second grade. My teacher, Ms. Schulz, kept bringing in photos and newspaper clippings covering the race. She kept saying things like:

"This is President Jimmy Carter. He comes from Georgia. This is Ronald Reagan and he comes from California."

At one point, I recall that she asked me who I would vote for. I scratched my head and answered.

"I like Jimmy. He is our President right now. We should keep him."

Which is the first election you remember?


12 Comments
lgrant
That's easy--Nixon and Kennedy. Everyone was watching it on TV and I remember my sister and me watching it, probably bored with the talk between the two candidates, making remarks like "Kennedy should win because he is the handsomest!" We had low expectations at that age and TV was still new and impressive to us.
LGrant   Tuesday, November 4, 2008
reera
Kennedy/Nixon 1960 I was in middle school and was very enamored of JFK but I remember watching some of the conventions on tv with my mother and thinking they were the most boring things in the world.LOL
dannie   Tuesday, November 4, 2008
mrsshoo
I remember the '94 election. I was in 5th grade, and I was so proud that I got to "vote." I even got an "I voted" sticker. Apparently the fascination with the sticker still hasn't left me.
Sarah S.   Tuesday, November 4, 2008
lgrant
I think we were watching the same station, Dannie. LOL Then again...there were only 3. LOL
LGrant   Tuesday, November 4, 2008
_DELETED_carriepassante
Bill, I voted in kindergarten for the election you mentioned. I think we put a piece of paper in a blue or red can with their respective pictures on each.
Carrie   Tuesday, November 4, 2008
frankyskins
I remember voting for cookies in Kindergarten (Chocolate, Cinnamon, or Honey)...That would have been the 1988 election. The first real memories come from the '92 election. I would always try and stay up late on Saturday nights to see what SNL had to say....
BradyMo   Tuesday, November 4, 2008
k8day
1992 was the one I really remember. Two words: Ross Perot!
K8Day   Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Russ
1980 - My 2nd grade class in Pennsylvania voted John Anderson into office ahead of Reagan and Carter. I remember campaigning on the school bus for Reagan - even trying to sway my classmates on Carter's mishandling of Iran. I was such a nerd.
Russ   Tuesday, November 4, 2008
gotshoo
@Russ - Still a nerd.
shoo   Tuesday, November 4, 2008
igna83
The first time I voted it was 1984, and I voted to re-elect Ronald Reagan - let's hear it for The Gipper!
Angi   Tuesday, November 4, 2008
moobi
Bill, as you know, I was also in second grade in '80, and that's the first election that comes to my mind, as well. And I specifically remember favoring Anderson, primarily because he was the 3rd party candidate. I guess it's always been in my nature to resist the 2 party system.
Mark Almighty   Tuesday, November 4, 2008
_DELETED_rangywulf
The first election I really remember or payed any attention to was when Dukacus(sp?) ran for office. I liked the guy. Bushy eyebrows and all...
RW   Wednesday, November 5, 2008
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