The more things change...

From Aug. 10, 1992
ROBERT TURNER'S column was an effective summary of what this election is all about. Bill Clinton is "trying to recapture the powerful themes that have kept Republicans in the White House for 12 years." Clearly, Clinton is making a play for the white middle-class voters who went with Ronald Reagan. But coopting Reagan's themes raises questions as to just how effectively Clinton can run against the Republicans' record of the last 12 years. And there is still the question of how the traditional Democratic constituencies will respond.

At the Democratic Convention, three eloquent and impassioned speakers - Governor Zell Miller of Georgia, Jesse Jackson, and Governor Mario Cuomo of New York - did their best to warn Clinton not to stray too far from the traditions of FDR, Truman, Kennedy, and Johnson. But Clinton's acceptance speech left me uncertain as to how much of their message he received. If Clinton wins, I hope he will remember what being a Democrat really means.

THOMAS C. BARROW