Describe Clinton/Dole voters

[Joe McCarthy Was Right]

I think saying "southern whites" would be simplistic, because Clinton's support increased in certain parts of the south. I'm hoping this thread might explain things like why Dole was unusually strong in Fresno County CA.

[sguberman]

My dad was one

[E-Dawg]

Dang, Dole outperformed Bush 1988 in Fresno County, CA!

[One Term Floridian]

Dole heavily campaigned in CA from what I recall. Plus that was a very bad year for turnout since it was such a “boring” campaign season with the outcome never seriously in doubt. Clinton and the Dems also didn’t go that negative on Dole and largely focused their attacks on Gingrich which was probably a mistake because that didn’t really get their base out to vote.

[TheElectoralBoobyPrize]

It looks like the biggest swings towards Dole were in western states.

Anyway, maybe some conservatives mad about Bush’s breaking his tax pledge, but thought Clinton went too left in his first couple years.

Also, I read somewhere that Dole did noticeably better with Jews than Bush Sr.

[TransfemmeGoreVidal]

Anti-incumbency voters, possibly some socially conservative Democrats who switched parties because Clinton moved right on economic issues.

[Lechasseur]

I think saying "southern whites" would be simplistic, because Clinton's support increased in certain parts of the south. I'm hoping this thread might explain things like why Dole was unusually strong in Fresno County CA.

If anything, I think if Dole gained anywhere in the South it was due to turnout rather than people switching their votes

It looks like the biggest swings towards Dole were in western states.

Anyway, maybe some conservatives mad about Bush’s breaking his tax pledge, but thought Clinton went too left in his first couple years.

Also, I read somewhere that Dole did noticeably better with Jews than Bush Sr.

I think this is basically the correct answer, I get the impression the West was the only place where Dole actually gained any significant amount of Clinton voters. Well tbf he was from the Plains and was a far better fit for the Plains/ West than he was for the South or the Northeast. Also, some of those states like Montana are reflexively anti-incumbent as mentioned.

Why would Dole have done better with Jews than Bush?

[darklordoftech]

Why would Dole have done better with Jews than Bush?

Bush convinced Israel to stay out of the Persian Gulf War and delayed some aid to them while Dole ran as a pro-Netanyahu candidate.