Did the GOP slide begin in the 1990s?

[CJK]

Many people are blaming current Republican problems on the Bush administration, but looking at election results a case could be made that they began as early as 1996.

1996: Clinton wins easily, Dems pick up seats in the House and win the popular vote. The GOP maintains control due to an unusually large number of Dem retirements.

1998: Republicans lose seats in the House, unprecedented in a midterm election when the other side controls the presidency.

2000: Bush loses the popular vote but wins due to a series of once in a lifetime events in Florida. The GOP's majority in the House is reduced to 9 and the Senate is tied. The Senate goes to the Democrats after Jeffords complains that the party is too conservative.

2002: The Republicans make modest gains in the House and Senate due to redistricting and the war on terror.

2004: Bush wins re-election by the smallest margin ever for an incumbent despite the war on terror. Republicans gain Senate seats in the South but make only modest gains in the House.

2006: Republicans lose control of the House and Senate.

2008: Obama wins by 7 points, Republicans are reduced to 1970s levels in the Senate and 1993 levels in the House.