In 1976, Orrin Hatch defeated three-term Democrat Sen. Frank Moss by promising to serve no more than two terms. That was Hatch’s Big Promise. It was all he really had to offer, but his two-term-only promise swept him in office — where he served a total of seven terms.
When Hatch ran for his third term, and was confronted by his two-term promise, he simply said, "Conditions change."
I remember thinking way back then that what changed was that Orrin Hatch had morphed into a confirmed liar with his singular big campaign promise being discarded like a used candy wrapper.
Hatch's first campaign promise is pretty anemic compared to yummy-delicious promises voters are offered these days, but the campaign promise that currently screams the loudest comes from Joe Biden.
“I’ve worked so hard in my career, that I promise you, if I’m elected president you’re gonna see the single most important thing that changes America, we’re gonna cure cancer,” Biden told supporters in Ottumwa, Iowa.
I can’t speak for you, but I’m all in. Joe Biden (if elected) is going to cure cancer! So I’m voting for Joe.
Sherman Stephenson, St. George