The Election of 1992

1. The Election of 1992 By: Chris Gwyn

2. Overview of the Election • This was the 52nd Presidential Election in the United States in 1992. It was held on November 3rd and there were 3 major candidates; Republican George H. W. Bush, Democratic Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton and Independent Texas businessman Ross Perot. This was especially a significant realigning election because it was the first after three consecutive Republican landslides and five victories out to the previous six presidential elections. Yet Clinton came out on top with his image of youth. George H. W. Bush Ross Perot Bill Clinton

3. Pictures from the Election of 1992… • After a successful performance by US in the Persian Gulf War Bush’s approval rate was at 89% • Yet in the end Clinton won by receiving 43% of the popular vote against Bush with 37%and Perot’s 19%. • It was the first time since 1968 that the candidate won the White House with under 50% of the popular vote. • Clinton Won by pluralities of the vote

6. Overview • As the election campaign of 1992 came closer, it was presumed that the incumbent President, George Bush held a commanding lead in the polls over all candidates. • Yet Clinton was favored even after the charges against him with being unfaithful to his wife. Even his wife stood by him throughout the election and the allegations • Bush’s campaign was hindered by the troubled economy and was also revolved primarily around economic issues. • Perot was truly a wildcard in this campaign. He is a self made billionaire and was quickly favored. However, his decision to first withdraw from the campaign and then reenter it really hurt him and caused him to be forgotten. • Bush ran a bland campaign and failed to connect with voters. He seems as if he was extremely out of touch with the needs for the average American that were looking for a change to vote for him. • This caused a lot of people to vote Democrat sealing Clinton’s Victory as President.