1988 to 2024: Why Every Election Feels Like the Lesser Evil

From Reagan’s second term to Trump’s return, every U.S. presidential election since 1988 seems to present the same choice: which flawed candidate is the lesser of two evils. In this episode of BS with Joe, we walk through each major election, unpacking the recurring pattern of limited choices, strategic voting, and voter dissatisfaction.

We cover:

How candidates from Reagan vs. Dukakis (1988) to Harris vs. Trump (2024) reflected narrow options rather than inspiring visions.

Third-party moments (Perot, Nader, RFK Jr., others) — when they mattered and why they often couldn’t break through.

How the debate control commission, party dynamics, and media framing make most elections feel like choosing between evils.

The ethical and strategic trade-offs voters face when none of the choices feel “good enough.”

What it might take for real alternatives to emerge — more choice, electoral reform, and a shift in how we think about participation.

If you’ve ever left a voting booth feeling like you settled, this episode’s for you. Let’s dig into how “lesser evil” became the default — and whether it has to stay that way.

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#LesserOfTwoEvils #PresidentialElectionHistory #ElectoralPolitics #1988to2024 #StrategicVoting #TwoPartySystem #ThirdPartyCandidates #BSwithJoe