Bush I used the same tired tactics against Clinton in 1992!

[ecstatic]

Oct-11-92: President Bush began his statement by criticizing Gov. Clinton's participation in demonstrations abroad when he was a student at Oxford 23 years ago. Gov. Clinton responded that this was a "questioning of his patriotism." He compared it to "McCarthyism" and referred to how President Bush's father, Sen. Prescott Bush, opposed McCarthy's tactics. Ross Perot responded that one's actions as a "senior official in the federal government" were more important than one's actions in "formative years."

Oct-19-92: President Bush repeatedly spoke on Gov. Clinton's "pattern" of failing to take a firm stand on issues, and responded sharply to his opponents' statements to the effect that the Bush administration aided the military buildup of Iraq under Saddam Hussein. Mr. Perot spoke on his business experience and the necessity for solving America's economic problems first.

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The tactics didn't work then, and hopefully Americans aren't stupid enough to fall for them now.
By the way, does anyone know where I can find the actual videos of the debates?