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[[Image:2.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Bob Dole and Bill Clinton]] The '''presidential election of 1996''' was a victory for the [[Democratic]] candidate. The Democrats nominated sitting [[President]] [[Bill Clinton]] as their candidate. The [[Republican]]s nominated [[Senator]] [[Bob Dole]] as their [[candidate]].  Wealthy oil-businessman [[H. Ross Perot]] ran again on the [[Reform Party]] ticket. Dole debated President Clinton in two debates, while Perot wasn't allowed to attend as his polling numbers had dropped since 1992.<ref> http://www.debates.org/pages/his_1996.html </ref>

[[Image:2.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Bob Dole and Bill Clinton]] The '''presidential election of 1996''' was a victory for the [[Democratic]] candidate, incumbent President [[Bill Clinton]]. The [[Republican]]s nominated Senator [[Bob Dole]] as their candidate.  Wealthy businessman [[H. Ross Perot]] ran again on the [[Reform Party]] ticket. Dole debated President Clinton in two debates, while Perot wasn't allowed to attend as his polling numbers had dropped since 1992.<ref> http://www.debates.org/pages/his_1996.html </ref>

In 1994, Republicans won control of both houses of [[Congress]] after extracting huge gains in both chambers, but that actually hurt their chances of retaking the [[White House]].  Clinton's failed 1993 [[health care]] reform package, which helped lead to the 1994 Republican congressional majority, was too distant in voter's minds. Combined with the strong economy overseen by the Republican Congress that Clinton took credit for and the fact that there were no current major foreign policy issues, there was little to run on to oppose him.  Clinton enjoyed a relatively easy victory in November and became the first Democratic President to be elected to two terms in office since [[Franklin Roosevelt]] in 1936.  The public showed little interest in the scandals the Clinton [[administration]] was responsible for, such as [[Whitewater]] and Travelgate.  He ran on a moderate platform of [[welfare]] reform and smaller government, similar to the way he portrayed himself as a moderate in the [[United States presidential election, 1992|1992 election]].  The disasterous path of his first two years was forgotten.<ref>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/debatingourdestiny/1996.html</ref>

Public confidence in the Clinton administration's treatment of China, Iraq, Bosnia, and Israel during 1993-96, evidenced by polls, made the incumbent virtually immune to foreign policy attacks from the Republican Party. Combined with the strong economy overseen by the Republican Congress that Clinton took credit for and the fact that there were no current major foreign policy issues, there was little to run on to oppose him.   

 

Clinton enjoyed a relatively easy victory in November and became the first Democratic President to be elected to two terms in office since [[Franklin Roosevelt]] in 1936.  The public showed little interest in the scandals the Clinton [[administration]] was responsible for, such as [[Whitewater]] and Travelgate.  He ran on a moderate platform of [[welfare]] reform and smaller government, similar to the way he portrayed himself as a moderate in the [[United States presidential election, 1992|1992 election]].  The disasterous path of his first two years was forgotten.<ref>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/debatingourdestiny/1996.html</ref>

Bob Dole promised a 15 percent tax cut, but with a healthy economy that was not a high priority for voters. The press made an issue out of Dole's age and accused him of being 'mean'. Dole, a [[World War II]] veteran who had permanent battle injuries, was reluctant to play off of his war record.  Bill Clinton, of course, had avoided military service.  President Clinton was re-elected with a [[majority]] of the [[Electoral College]] votes but only received a [[plurality]] of the popular vote, similar to his 1992 election.

Bob Dole promised a 15 percent tax cut, but with a healthy economy that was not a high priority for voters. The press made an issue out of Dole's age and accused him of being 'mean'. Dole, a [[World War II]] veteran who had permanent battle injuries, was reluctant to play off of his war record.  Bill Clinton, of course, had avoided military service.  President Clinton was re-elected with a [[majority]] of the [[Electoral College]] votes but only received a [[plurality]] of the popular vote, similar to his 1992 election.