12.3 1992 Election and the Rise of Ross Perot

The 1992 U.S. presidential election was a turning point in American politics. It featured incumbent George H.W. Bush, Democrat Bill Clinton, and independent Ross Perot in a three-way race that shook up traditional party dynamics.

Economic issues dominated the campaign, with Bush struggling to defend his record. Clinton's "It's the economy, stupid" message resonated with voters, while Perot's outsider appeal and focus on the national debt captured significant support, ultimately helping Clinton secure victory.

The 1992 U.S. Presidential Election

Dynamics of 1992 presidential election

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• Major candidates in the 1992 U.S. presidential election included George H. W. Bush (Republican incumbent), Bill Clinton (Democratic challenger), and Ross Perot (Independent third-party candidate)
• Key issues in the 1992 election revolved around the economy (recession, high unemployment, and growing national debt), healthcare reform, foreign policy (post-Cold War era), and Bush's "Read my lips: No new taxes" pledge from 1988
• Dynamics of the 1992 election characterized by Bush's popularity decline due to economic issues and breaking his tax pledge, Clinton's appeal as a moderate "New Democrat", and Perot's anti-establishment and fiscally conservative message resonating with voters

Impact of Ross Perot's candidacy

• Ross Perot's background as a successful Texas businessman who ran as an independent candidate, self-financing his campaign
• Perot's campaign platform focused on reducing the national debt and balancing the budget, opposed NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), and advocated for political reform and direct democracy
• Impact of Perot's candidacy significant as he received 18.9% of the popular vote, the highest for a third-party candidate since 1924 (Robert La Follette), drew support from both Republicans and Democrats, and influenced the political discourse on economic issues and government reform

Bush vs Clinton campaign strategies

• George H. W. Bush's campaign struggled to address economic concerns and defend his broken tax pledge, emphasized foreign policy successes (Gulf War, fall of the Soviet Union), and attacked Clinton's character and draft record
• Bill Clinton's campaign presented himself as a centrist "New Democrat", focused on domestic issues with the unofficial slogan "It's the economy, stupid", effectively countered personal attacks and controversies, and selected Al Gore as running mate to appeal to moderate and young voters

Factors in Clinton's 1992 victory

• Economic factors such as the recession and high unemployment weakened Bush's support, while Clinton's promise of economic change resonated with voters
• Generational change as Clinton represented a new generation of leadership and Bush was perceived as out of touch with the concerns of average Americans
• Perot's impact in splitting the conservative vote, primarily hurting Bush, and his focus on economic issues aligning more with Clinton's message
• Clinton's campaign performance successfully conveyed empathy and connection with voters and effectively navigated controversies and attacks on his character
• Electoral College result with Clinton winning 370 electoral votes to Bush's 168, and Clinton receiving 43% of the popular vote, Bush 37.5%, and Perot 18.9%