When I graduated from high school in 1992, the U.S. presidential election was in full swing. And this time, it was different. In 1988, George H.W. Bush had ridden Ronald Reagan’s coattails to a resounding victory over Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis.

But a viable third-party candidate was running for the first time since George Wallace in 1968. That man was H. Ross Perot, a wealthy, loud, big-eared Texan. Reams have been written on Perot, but today, I want to concentrate on his running mate, Admiral James Stockdale.

I think of Stockdale today because it’s easy to contrast him with current Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz. When Walz said in his debate, “I’ve become friends with school shooters,” it didn’t occur to me that he might have had a slip of the tongue.

After all, this is the Governor of Minnesota, who let the City Formerly Known As Minneapolis burn to the ground in 2020 after George Floyd died in police custody. The number of people charged with wrongdoing after the riots never reached triple digits.

But let’s get back to 1992. Stockdale had a disastrous debate. He became a political punchline. I paid no attention to it because Northerners then thought Texans were nuts, and Perot getting a “buffoon” like Stockdale to muck up a stage was par for the course.

It wasn’t until my favorite comedian at the time, Dennis Miller, in 1994, talked about Stockdale. Luckily, someone posted his rant on YouTube here. Watch it after you read this. I swear I could feel the shame I felt then as I rewatched Miller masterfully destroy the American culture that allowed Stockdale to become so ridiculed.

Why hadn’t I heard about this courageous, thoughtful, resilient man before a comedian(!), albeit a brilliant one, introduced me to him? Because it was convenient for the media to forget about him and his courage.

Today, I don’t want to talk about the dimwits fighting for control of the country. I want to talk about James Stockdale, a man who deserved so much more from America. His mistreatment at the hands of the media, ruthlessly destroyed because he was an ideological opponent, is a stark injustice that should resonate with all of us.

The First Man in Vietnam and The Last One Out

James Bond Stockdale, a highly decorated naval officer and Vietnam War hero, entered the 1992 presidential race as Ross Perot’s vice-presidential candidate. His story of valor and intellectualism was overshadowed by his rough performance in the vice-presidential debate, which became the defining moment in how the media treated him.

Stockdale, a man of great intellect and courage, became a punchline, reduced to a caricature because of his very public, unpolished performance.

In contrast, political figures like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz have received more nuanced treatment by the media. But let’s leave that for later.

James Stockdale: A Hero Misunderstood

James Stockdale’s life was nothing short of extraordinary. He was a naval aviator who, after being shot down over Vietnam in 1965, spent nearly eight years as a prisoner of war, enduring immense suffering and torture.

Stockdale’s leadership and resilience in the notorious “Hanoi Hilton” prison camp earned him the Medal of Honor. He was not just a man of physical endurance but also of intellectual rigor, having studied philosophy and applying Stoic principles to survive his years in captivity.

Author Jim Collins once asked Stockdale which prisoners didn't leave Vietnam. Stockdale replied:

Oh, that's easy, the optimists. Oh, they were the ones who said, 'We're going to be out by Christmas.' And Christmas would come, and Christmas would go. Then they'd say, 'We're going to be out by Easter.' And Easter would come, and Easter would go. And then Thanksgiving, and then it would be Christmas again. And they died of a broken heart. This is a very important lesson. You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end—which you can never afford to lose—with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.

Collins called this the Stockdale Paradox.

The Debate

In 1992, Ross Perot, a third-party candidate running for president, tapped Stockdale as his vice-presidential pick. Stockdale, who had little political experience, agreed to run out of a sense of duty, not political ambition. However, his lack of preparation for the intense scrutiny of a national political campaign was evident during the vice-presidential debate.

Stockdale opened the debate with the now-famous line, “Who am I? Why am I here?” Although intended as a humorous introduction, the media quickly seized on these remarks to paint Stockdale as an out-of-touch, bumbling candidate.

We didn’t hate the media enough, then, either.

His performance during the debate, which lacked the polished soundbites of career politicians, became fodder for late-night comedians and talk shows. The narrative was set: Stockdale was a confused, elderly man who didn’t belong on the national stage.

The reality was far different.

Stockdale’s rhetorical style, shaped by a lifetime in the military and academia, wasn’t suited for the fast-paced, media-driven world of political debates. His responses were thoughtful and substantive, but didn’t align with the expectations of a media environment hungry for quick, memorable soundbites.

The media failed to appreciate the depth of Stockdale’s experience and intellect, instead focusing on his awkward moments. As a result, the American public was deprived of a fuller understanding of Stockdale’s qualifications and character.

In Stockdale’s case, the media failed to see beyond his debate performance, ignoring his profound personal story and leadership qualities. His treatment reflects a media landscape that, even in the early 1990s, was more concerned with entertainment value than with providing a complete picture of a candidate’s qualifications. Stockdale’s downfall was largely due to his inability to navigate the shallow but influential currents of the media-driven political news cycle.

The Role of Media in Shaping Public Perception

The way the media handles political figures has a profound impact on public perception. This awareness of the media's influence should make us more discerning consumers of political news.

Stockdale’s treatment in 1992 serves as a cautionary tale of how a single debate performance can overshadow a lifetime of achievement. The media’s focus on the superficial aspects of Stockdale’s candidacy—his debate style, rather than his heroic service and intellectual contributions—demonstrates the media’s power to shape a narrative.

Let’s contrast this with Tim Walz.

Walz’s more favorable media coverage shows how the media can protect certain people, especially in today’s hyper-partisan environment. This protection can insulate politicians from the full consequences of their actions, as critical coverage is often filtered through the lens of partisan loyalty.

The comparison between Stockdale and Walz highlights the evolution of media coverage in American politics. Stockdale, a war hero with a deep philosophical understanding of leadership, was dismissed by the media because he didn’t fit the mold of a polished politician.

Walz has benefited from a media environment that is more likely to defend its ideological allies. Both cases underscore the immense power the media holds in shaping political narratives and influencing public perception.

Wrap Up

Ultimately, Stockdale’s story is one of missed opportunities—both for the media and the public—to recognize the qualities that made him an exceptional leader.

Walz’s story, meanwhile, reflects the modern media, which filters coverage through the lens of partisanship.

How much better would America be served by an honest, objective news media?

Rest in peace, Admiral.

Have a great weekend!