Bill Clinton vs. George Bush Jr. 2000

[Oldiesfreak1854]

If Clinton wasn't term-limited he would have won a third term easily against anybody.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

If Clinton wasn't term-limited he would have won a third term easily against anybody.

Bullsh**t.  He wouldn't have won at all.  The GOP would've proceeded with caution in impeachment, and let it run it's course.  No impeachment, Clinton loses in a landslide and 98 is a disaster for the Dems.  Bush mobilizes social conservatives and wins in a landslide

Then how come Clinton seemed to remain so popular after the impeachment?  The 1998 election wasn't really a great year for either party, and Dems actually gained seats in the House.  What makes you so sure that Clinton would have lost in a landslide if he could have r un for a third term?

[Oldiesfreak1854]

If Clinton wasn't term-limited he would have won a third term easily against anybody.

Bullsh**t.  He wouldn't have won at all.  The GOP would've proceeded with caution in impeachment, and let it run it's course.  No impeachment, Clinton loses in a landslide and 98 is a disaster for the Dems.  Bush mobilizes social conservatives and wins in a landslide

LOL

Why?  Think about it: why did Bush win the GOP nomination in 2000?  Because social conservatives weren't satisfied with McCain.  Why?  Backlash against the Clinton administration.  Why was it a close GE despite a massive budget surplus, an incumbent dem with sky-high approvals, and a kick-ass economy?  Social conservatives were mobilized by the family values candidate.

Yeah, but the strong economy and budget surpluses were largely because Clinton compromised with Congressional Republicans to cut taxes and spending.  The reason the 90s were largely peaceful was because of the fall of the Soviet Union, which was largely because of Reagan's policies, and it occurred during the presidency of Bush Sr.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

If Clinton wasn't term-limited he would have won a third term easily against anybody.

Bullsh**t.  He wouldn't have won at all.  The GOP would've proceeded with caution in impeachment, and let it run it's course.  No impeachment, Clinton loses in a landslide and 98 is a disaster for the Dems.  Bush mobilizes social conservatives and wins in a landslide

LOL

Why?  Think about it: why did Bush win the GOP nomination in 2000?  Because social conservatives weren't satisfied with McCain.  Why?  Backlash against the Clinton administration.  Why was it a close GE despite a massive budget surplus, an incumbent dem with sky-high approvals, and a kick-ass economy?  Social conservatives were mobilized by the family values candidate.

Yeah, but the strong economy and budget surpluses were largely because Clinton compromised with Congressional Republicans to cut taxes and spending.  The reason the 90s were largely peaceful was because of the fall of the Soviet Union, which was largely because of Reagan's policies, and it occurred during the presidency of Bush Sr.

The thing with Clinton is that he pulled back Reagan democrats (social conservatives, economic moderates-to-conservative).  He also pulled in moderate, young (then) economically moderate-to-center-right Republicans who didn't give a damn about social issues.  One of these was my dad.  White-collar businessman, voted for Bush in 92, then for Clinton in 96.  He told me there was no way in hell he would've voted for Clinton had he run in 2000, and not because he got a hummer from some intern, but because of what that did to the country.  It divided the nation.  So I don't see the southern states breaking for him at all, including Florida because many democrats would've stayed home.  There was also a lack of contrast between bush and Clinton in 2000; Bush was a "compassionate conservative"; basically, I'll give you everything he did but with a tax cut to boot.  Clinton would've campaigned on the same thing but without the breaks for the upper class.  Bush would've said a little less foreign intervention.  Clinton would've defended his record and touted his foreign policy credentials.  At least Gore contradicted Bush on education, entitlements, and healthcare.  Democrats wouldn't've showed up, especially the older ones (FLORIDA!).  If Clinton wins its because he stakes his entire campaign on winning Ohio, and it would be almost as narrow as otl florida in 2000

You're right.  Clinton got the Reagan Democrats and moderates to vote Democrat and they've voted Democratic ever since.  But I would argue that it was largely BECAUSE of social issues, although I think they mostly care about economic issues.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Romneys going to have to court these voters this election as well.  Well maybe there's a realignment waiting for us this year; who knows?

I see another realignment as unlikely until one party begins to educate the base of the other (preferably Republicans to the Democratic base) about what they really believe and start to make inroads with those voters.