“It’s morning again in America”. On November 7, 1984, the nation woke to the reelection of President Ronald Reagan. Inflation was down, the economy was improving, and the “cowboy” from California had the country by his side. Reagan’s 525 electoral votes is the most by any presidential candidate in the
As the campaign rolled through the summer months of 1988 Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis maintained a sizable lead over his opponent, Vice President George H.W. Bush. Bush was seeking to become only the fourth vice president to be elected directly to the presidency and the first in over 150 years.
In an election that saw many leading Democrats remain on the sideline due to President Bush’s high approval rating during the Persian Gulf War and his perceived inevitability in winning a second term, the “Boy-Governor” from Arkansas was able to play the spoiler. Bill Clinton, who 14 years earlier had
A failed bid for healthcare reform, a backlash toward a perceived pro-gay agenda, and a loss by the Democrats of the House and Senate just two years prior, weighed heavily on the incumbent president, Bill Clinton. Not to mention, 50 years had passed since the last time a Democrat had
The operative phrase for the first election of the new millennium was, “too close to call.” At 2:30 am (ET) on November 8th, 2000, Vice President Al Gore called Governor George Bush to concede the election. Despite the tight race it appeared that Bush had won Florida giving him enough
Despite a struggling economy, the September 11th terrorist attack, and a mishandled and misguided war in Iraq, President George W. Bush succeeded where his father failed. Through amassing over 50% of the popular vote he won reelection. With foreign policy serving as the dominant theme during the campaign, Senator John
