In 1988,, Lloyd Bentsen, who has not won a single primary or caucus in his quest for the Democratic presidential nomination, announces he is withdrawing from the race. Several commentators lament the departure of this 'voice of maturity' on the Democratic side. In an op-ed article the following day, syndicated columnist George F. Will asserts that Bentsen's failure to catch fire with voters is a sign that 'Kennedy-McGovern liberals' remain in control of the Democratic Party, and predicts that this means a Republican win in November because 'after the debacle of the Hart administration, the American people are looking for responsible leadership.'