1992: Bush wins re-election

[dudeabides]

September 15, 2003 - Democrats appeal to voters at South Carolina forum

“Four eight years, the President and I have worked together to defend our country and expand opportunity for all Americans. Together, we have reduced the number of children in poverty lacking health care by 70%, and we’ve reduced poverty by over half a million Americans because we’ve invested in job training and a raise in the minimum wage. We’ve seen the number of young people entering college increase by more than 8% in the last two years alone. Fellow citizens, we have invested in our future and as President, I will do the same - I support asking the wealthiest 5% of Americans to pay a 39% tax rate instead of a 36% rate  so we can provide health care for every single American who can’t afford it today. We’ll continue to make investments in our infrastructure, our schools, and in alternative sources of energy. In fact, I want to get serious about combating climate change - we need to reduce C02 emissions with a serious carbon cap. We can do all of this and still balance our budget, keep in place tax relief for 95% of Americans, and continue to fund social security, medicare, and medicaid. At the same time as we need to invest in our people here at home, we need to defeat our enemies abroad, and that requires success in Iraq, and we are succeeding in Iraq. I’ll continue to invest in our military and in border security, but I refuse to go along with Republicans as they seek to engage in an anti-immigrant sentiment, we can welcome legal immigrants into our nation and still secure our border and see rising wages for our workers, the Republicans are wrong on this issue. I have the experience and qualifications to lead our country in a time of turmoil overseas, and I’ll lead our economy from recession here at home” - Dick Gephardt

“We Democrats face a clear choice in this election. The party establishment wants you to believe that by sounding like Republicans, we can win this election. I couldn’t disagree more. I stand for things like universal healthcare, gun control, a woman’s right to choose, public financing of all federal elections,  and capping CO2 emissions not because they win votes, though clearly they do with Democrats, but because it’s what’s right for America. Our country needs leaders with the courage to admit that yes, we are a great country, but we need to start closing the gap between the rich and poor, treating all of our citizens equally, and we need to help the most vulnerable in our society get ahead so they too can live the American dream. The fact is, I worked with President Reagan and Republicans to simplify our tax code during the 1980s, and I worked with our President, Joe Lieberman, to end discrimination in the U.S. military. I didn’t take on these fights because they would score me political points, but because they were and remain the right positions. I don’t believe in conducting polls to know what to fight for, I believe making decisions and sticking with them. As your President, I will consult with you, the American people, through town hall meetings, not focus groups or listening to public surveys. I’ll consult with advisers and my own conscious as well. I don’t believe the presidency should be bought, I think it should be earned, and that’s what I intend to do” - Bill Bradley

“For the last 28 years, I have sought to find solutions, work with people, educate our young, and serve the public. I spent 12 years in the United States Senate where I was an early advocate for increased trade with central America, and I am proud to have worked with President Reagan and a Democratic majority in congress in 1987 to double funding for the National Institutes of Health in an effort to research and find cures to some of the world’s most serious illnesses. After leaving the senate, I taught and was a commentator on foreign policy, trade policy, and tax policy. I also returned to the private practice of law and worked in the private sector. When President Bush asked me to be a special envoy to Japan to increase trade between our two nations, I gladly accepted. When President Lieberman asked me to be U.S. Trade Representative, I said yes, and we continued to open up our markets while enforcing trade agreements to the best of our ability. Today, I stand before you here today, ready to lead during a time of great consequence. In my judgement, President Lieberman will go down in history as one of the great Presidents. The question for the next President is, where do we go from here? We have to have a President who is committed to victory in the middle east. This conflict is a long term conflict, we need a President who will tell us the truth and keep us safe. At the same time as we fight our enemies, we must enhance our alliances with our allies. We need to support free trade, yes, but trade policy must also take into consideration human rights, fairness in wages, and the environment, and I’ll make sure our trade laws do. The United States must also lead the world again in finding cures for diseases, in combating climate change, and in educating our youth with higher educational standards. I believe that we must set goals for our country, and I’m very confident we can achieve anything working together” - Gary Hart

September 17, 2003 - Bradley surges in fundraising, polling after Democrats speak in South Carolina

SUMMERVILLE, SC - Democratic Presidential Hopeful Bill Bradley raised $300,000 in the 48 hours following a Democratic candidates forum in South Carolina. Additionally, Bradley surged in public opinion polling in the early primary state of New Hampshire. Aides to opponent Dick Gephardt dismissed the surge, stating it was “temporary” and implying Bradley would have a difficult time in a general election. But supporters of the Former U.S. Senator from New Jersey said Bradley’s “straight talk” and “bold solutions” helped him surge in polling.

October 10, 2003 - GOP race turns negative when Hutchison attacks Bush, Giuliani on “moderate” positions

IOWA CITY, IA - Republican Presidential Hopeful Kay Bailey Hutchison told voters in Iowa that her two main opponents, Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Former Mayor of New York City Rudy Giuliani, were “too moderate” for Republicans. “Rudy Giuliani is pro-choice, pro-gun control, and against a balanced budget amendment to the constitution - that sounds a lot like Dick Gephardt and Bill Bradley to me” Hutchison stated. “In Florida, Governor Bush opposed off-shore drilling and increased state spending faster than the rate of inflation” Hutchison stated. Both Bush and Giuliani’s campaign responded. “In Florida, Jeb Bush inherited a state with a budget gap of $175 million and by the time he left office, Florida had increased it’s reserves from $1.1 billion to $8.7 billion in eight years” the Bush campaign stated in a press release. For his part, Giuliani said that, “I believe that abortion and gun control are issues best left up to states, and I support balancing the budget, I was opposed to a constitutional change is all.”

November 15, 2003 - Gephardt hits Bradley on electability, taxes as Bradley promises to “stay positive”

DES MOINES, IA - Fearing Bill Bradley’s rise in the polls, Vice President Dick Gephardt, seeking the 2004 Democratic Presidential Nomination, attacked his main rival. “Senator Bradley supported the Reagan tax plan in 1986 which increased taxes on the working poor while cutting rates on the top 2% - that’s wrong, it’s bad economics, and it led to greater income inequality” Gephardt said at an Iowa event. Gephardt also questioned Bradley’s ability to win a general election. “I delivered Missouri to our party in two elections in a row, I’ll run on this administration’s record of bipartisan accomplishments, Senator Bradley will run on a record of supporting tax breaks for the rich, tax increases on the middle class, and supporting President Reagan’s cuts to medicare and education, I don’t see how that helps win a general election” Gephardt added. For his part, Bradley said he would “stay positive” and “not allow the establishment candidate to take me off message.”

[dudeabides]

December 10, 2003 - Endorsements in the pre-primary season


Jeb Bush
George W. Bush, Governor of Texas
George Bush, Former President of the United States
Dan Quayle, Former U.S. Vice President and presidential nominee in 1996 & 2000
Phil Gramm, U.S. Senator from Texas
James Baker, Former U.S. Secretary of State
Colin Powell, Retired General
Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator from Alaska
Bill McCollum, Governor of Florida
Carol A. Cambell Jr, Former Governor of South Carolina
J.C. Watts, Congressman from Oklahoma

Rudy Giuliani
Peter King, Congressman from New York
Tom Ridge, Former Governor of Pennsylvania
Pete Wilson, Former Governor of California
Lamar Alexander, U.S. Senator and Former Secretary of Education
Newt Gingrich, Former House Minority Leader
William Weld, Former Governor of Massachusetts
Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City
Susan Collins, U.S. Senator from Maine
Olympia Snowe, U.S. Senator from Maine

George Pataki
Al D'Amato, Former U.S. Senator from New York
Rick Lazio, Former Congressman from New York
John Engler, Former Governor of Michigan

Kay Bailey Hutchison
Bill Frist, U.S. Senate Minority Leader
Jon Kyl, U.S. Senator from Arizona
Judd Gregg, U.S. Senator from New Hampshire
Kit Bond, U.S. Senator from Missouri
Christie Todd Whitman, Former Governor of New Jersey
Elizabeth Dole, Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation
Bob Dole, Former U.S. Senate Minority Leader
Mike Huckabee, Governor of Arkansas

James Inholfe
Duncan Hunter, Congressman from California
Alan Keyes, Former U.N. Ambassador
Sam Brownback, U.S. Senator from Kansas

Tom Tancredo
Pat Buchanan, Former Presidential Adviser

Dick Gephardt
Joe Lieberman, President of the United States
Tom Daschle, U.S. Senate Majority Leader
Bob Holden Jr, Governor of Missouri
Tom Harkin, U.S. Senator from Iowa
Al Gore, U.S. Senator from Tennessee & 1992 Vice Presidential Nominee
Ross Perot, 1992 Independent Presidential Candidate
Ted Kennedy, U.S. Senator from Massachusetts
Tom Vilsack, Governor of Iowa

Bill Bradley
Walter Mondale, Former U.S. Vice President &1984 Democratic Presidential Nominee
Jim Florio, Former Governor of New Jersey
Jon Corzine, U.S. Senator from New Jersey
Frank R. Lautenberg, U.S. Senator from New Jersey
Howard Dean, Governor of Vermont
Jesse Jackson, Reverend
Michael Jordan, NBA Player

Gary Hart
Bill Clinton, Former Governor of Arkansas & 1992 Democratic Presidential Nominee
Jimmy Carter, Former U.S. President
Zell Miller, U.S. Senator from Georgia

January 4, 2004 - Iowa Caucus: Bush, Gephardt secure victories

DES MOINES, IA - Former Governor of Florida Jeb Bush (R) and Vice President Dick Gephardt (D) each won their party's caucuses in Iowa. Garnering 35% of the vote, Bush finished well ahead of Kay Bailey Hutchison and Rudy Giuliani, who finished with 20% and 17% respectively. For his part, Gephardt defeated opponents Bill Bradley and Gary Hart 40%-30%-28% respectively.

January 11, 2004 - New Hampshire Primary: Bush wins, Gephardt barely beats Bradley

CONCORD, NH - As expected, Former Governor of Florida Jeb Bush defeated Rudy Giuliani 37%-31% to win New Hampshire's Republican Presidential Primary. On the Democratic side, however, Dick Gephardt defeated Bill Bradley by less than 7,000 votes - a surprisingly strong showing for Bradley, a favorite of the Democratic Party's progressive wing.

January 14, 2004 - Poll: Gephardt, Bradley race tightens as Bush, Giuliani break away from other GOP hopefuls


GOP Nomination
Jeb Bush 38%
Rudy Giuliani 33%
Kay Bailey Hutchison 17%
George Pataki 7%
James Inholfe 3%
Tom Tancredo 1%
Other 1%

Democratic Nomination
Dick Gephardt 40%
Bill Bradley 37%
Gary Hart 21%
Other 1%

[dudeabides]

January 19, 2004 - Bush secures victories in Michigan, Delaware as Tancredo exits presidential race and Gephardt reclaims front-runner status

DETRIOT, MI - Jeb Bush again won victories in his quest for the Republican Presidential Nomination. In Michigan’s primary, Bush defeated Rudy Giuliani and Kay Bailey Hutchison 39%-30%-19% respectively, and he defeated Giuliani 50%-37% in Delaware. On the Democratic side, Dick Gephardt defeated Bill Bradley and Gary Hart 34%-30%-29% in Michigan, and 40%-30%-29% in Delaware.

January 27, 2004 - Bush, Gephardt claim victory in South Carolina, Infolfe withdrawals

CHARLESTON, SC - Republican Presidential Hopeful Jeb Bush won South Carolina’s Republican primary decisively, defeating opponent Kay Bailey Hutchison 51%-30% as Rudy Giuliani placed third with just 10% of the vote. Senator James Inholfe (R-OK) ended his campaign for president. On the Democratic side, Vice President Dick Gephardt had his strongest showing to date, defeating Bill Bradley and Gary Hart 47%-30%-22% respectively.

February 4, 2004 - Bush secures victories in Florida, Arizona, Nevada, and Wyoming as Gephardt, Bradley split victories, Hart ends presidential bid

MIAMI BEACH, FL - Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush secured victories in his home state of Florida, where he won 71% of the vote, in addition to defeating Rudy Giuliani, 41%-32% in Nevada, Kay Bailey Hutchison 45%-30% in Arizona, and Tom Tancredo 62%-25% in Wyoming. Dick Gephardt defeated Bill Bradley and Gary Hart 43%-30%-26% in Florida and 57%-25%-17% in Wyoming, as Bradley won Nevada and Arizona, defeating Gephardt and Hart 40%-39%-20% in Nevada and 37%-33%-29% in Arizona. Gary Hart ended his presidential bid.

February 9, 2004 - Super Tuesday 2004: All candidates secure some victories, Bush dominates as Gephardt & Bradley keep Democrats divided

ATLANTA, GA - Voters in twelve states picked their candidates for the 2004 presidential election. On the Republican side, Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush dominated the field, winning 9 contests in Georgia, Virginia, Missouri, Maine, Tennessee, Washington, Alaska, North Dakota, and Illinois. Rudy Giuliani secured two victories in his home state of New York and neighbooring Connecticut. Kay Bailey Hutchison won Oklahoma's presidential primary. On the Democratic side, Dick Gephardt won 7 contests - in Georgia, Virginia, his home state of Missouri, Tennessee, Alaska, North Dakota, and Oklahoma as opponent Bill Bradley won 5 victories - in Maine, Illinois, New York, Connecticut, and Washington.

February 10, 2004 - Hutchison ends presidential bid

DALLAS, TX - Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, in third place in the presidential contest, announced she was ending her presidential bid.

February 16, 2004 - Bush, Gephardt claim victories in Idaho, North Carolina

RALEIGH, NC - Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush defeated Rudy Giuliani 67%-32% to win Idaho’s presidential primary. He also defeated Giuliani 61%-38% in North Carolina. Vice President Dick Gephardt won Idaho and North Carolina as well, defeating opponent Bill Bradley 50%-48% in Idaho and 50%-49% in North Carolina.

February 18, 2004 - Giuliani ends presidential bid, pledges to support Jeb Bush

NEW YORK, NY - Former Mayor of New York City Rudy Giuliani ended his 2004 presidential campaign and pledged to support Jeb Bush for President. “Our campaign for the presidency was always about building a brighter future for our country. The principles we fought for will continue to be a part of the discussion our nation has over the next several years. I believe Governor Bush is now in a better position to lead our party into the fall given his advantage in delegates and popular votes. We placed second, but second obviously isn’t first. Today, I end my presidential campaign, and I will be supporting Governor Bush because he has the record and vision to lead our country” Giuliani stated.

Jeb Bush becomes Presumptive Republican Presidential Nominee

“Today, we can claim with confidence that I will be our nominee for President. This is a moment of uncertainty for our country. Our economy has lost over a million jobs in the last year, government spending has increased at nearly double the rate of inflation, and the middle east is in tremendous turmoil. I am confident that with the right policies, we can move our country in a hopeful direction. In Florida, we took on tough issues - we changed our education system, reduced taxes and the size of government, enacted sweeping medical liability reform, and protected our air and water. Prior to that experience, I was in the private sector where I learned about innovation and how jobs are created. I believe that my experience, the values we all stand for, and our hopeful vision for the future will enable us to lead this nation in a new direction. If we reduce taxes, reduce the regulatory burden of the federal government, change our health care system to benefit consumers and not bureaucrats, promote free trade, end our dependence on foreign sources of energy, reform our education system, and change our immigration system to promote economic based immigration, our economy will flourish and our government will be leaner, yet better able to meet our obligations to our seniors, veterans, our children, and the most vulnerable in our society. At the same time, America must continue to be what it always has - a leader in promoting freedom and justice in this world. Working together, and putting aside our differences, we can move this country in a more hopeful direction, and I hope you’ll join me” - Jeb Bush, Presumptive Republican Presidential Nominee