Bill Clinton probably did more for the Republican party than Ronald Reagan. When he took office the Democrats controlled the House the Senate and the Presidency. Now they control none.
I don't really know what the parties were like before this, I was- lets see- just turning 10 after the Clinton election. I didn't even follow politics until about '98. I do remember liking that Perot was getting so much attention, but mostly because he was another option, not because I knew what any of the canidates stood for. (jeeze.. that was fourth grade... That puts things in more perspective for me than the arbitrary "10th year" of my life)
