Changes

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]], illegally failing to report for the draft, and past drug use, but the [[mainstream media]] didn't push those themes.

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.  

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.