In 1986, Willie Horton was serving a life sentence for murder, but was released from a prison in Massachusetts on a weekend furlough program, during which time he escaped and raped a woman.
Then-governor Michael Dukakis had supported the prison furlough program, and when he ran for President in 1988, George H. W. Bush, used that to his advantage as his political opponent.
The "Revolving Door" ad never mentions Horton by name, but the connection was clear and the ad received considerable news coverage. Willie Horton 1988 Attack Ad https://youtu.be/Io9KMSSEZ0Y
Now, accused Mexican killer Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, with a string of deportations and drug-related felonies in the U.S., could very well become this year’s Willie Horton and shape the debate over illegal immigration.
Fox Begins the Mexican Version of Willie Horton Scare Campaign: Mexican Criminals Everywhere - http://go.shr.lc/1HObGg6 via @Shareaholic
Mitch Perry Report for 7.8.15 – Could Francisco Sanchez become the Willie Horton of 2016? http://www.saintpetersblog.com/archives/234972 via @SaintPetersBlog
S.F. pier killing resonating in campaigns, immigration debate http://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/S-F-pier-killing-resonating-in… via @sfchronicle
1988 George Bush Sr. "Revolving Door" Attack Ad Campaign https://youtu.be/PmwhdDv8VrM via @YouT