| | Bush enjoyed historically high approval ratings after his decisive military victory in [[Operation Desert Storm]] in 1991, but that had evaporated by the time of the election. Ironically, the fall of the [[Berlin Wall]] and collapse of the [[Soviet Union]] under Bush's Presidency hurt him in his reelection campaign in that it resulted in foreign policy not being a prominent issue, with no Soviet threat. The campaign focused almost entirely on domestic concerns and an economy that was believed to still be in a recession. | | Bush enjoyed historically high approval ratings after his decisive military victory in [[Operation Desert Storm]] in 1991, but that had evaporated by the time of the election. Ironically, the fall of the [[Berlin Wall]] and collapse of the [[Soviet Union]] under Bush's Presidency hurt him in his reelection campaign in that it resulted in foreign policy not being a prominent issue, with no Soviet threat. The campaign focused almost entirely on domestic concerns and an economy that was believed to still be in a recession. |
| − | A prominently placed sign in Clinton’s campaign headquarters read "It’s the economy, stupid!" Bill Clinton ran a different, more youthful campaign, by making frequent appearances on MTV and daytime talk-shows, and took questions from live [[audience]]s, which proved to be a comfortable setting for him. He distanced himself from past Democratic Party candidates like [[George McGovern]], [[Walter Mondale]] and [[Michael Dukakis]], by running as a centrist. He cited the ticket’s support of the [[death penalty]], a balanced budget, middle class [[tax]] cuts and a desire to "end [[welfare]] as we know it." Clinton had baggage of avoiding the [[Vietnam War]] and past drug use, but the press didn't push those themes and disenchantment with Bush won out. | + | A prominently placed sign in Clinton’s campaign headquarters read "It’s the economy, stupid!" Bill Clinton ran a different, more youthful campaign, by making frequent appearances on MTV and daytime talk-shows, and took questions from live [[audience]]s, which proved to be a comfortable setting for him. He distanced himself from past Democratic Party candidates like [[George McGovern]], [[Walter Mondale]] and [[Michael Dukakis]], by running as a centrist. He cited the ticket’s support of the [[death penalty]], a balanced budget, middle class [[tax]] cuts and a desire to "end [[welfare]] as we know it." Clinton had baggage of avoiding the [[Vietnam War]], illegally failing to report for the draft, and past drug use, but the [[mainstream media]] didn't push those themes. |
| | + | According to Wikipedia, Bill Clinton engaged in [[voter suppression]] by appearing at several Massachusetts polling locations, which caused voters hours of delay and inhibited traffic.<ref>http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2016/03/01/did-bill-clinton-violate-election-rules-venturing-into-polling-location/PH4FIH9jCKYKf6Fzyvfz2N/story.html</ref> Clinton was allegedly electioneering within 150 feet of the polling locations, which is also illegal according to Massachusetts state law. <ref>http://www.medfordma.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/ELECTIONSummary.pdf</ref> |
| | George H. W. Bush trailed in the polls for the entire campaign. Several of his speeches and political ads focused on the Gulf War, fall of the [[Berlin Wall]] and experience to illustrate his success as commander in chief, but his message did little to help his standing. | | George H. W. Bush trailed in the polls for the entire campaign. Several of his speeches and political ads focused on the Gulf War, fall of the [[Berlin Wall]] and experience to illustrate his success as commander in chief, but his message did little to help his standing. |