No on 22

[NHI]

"No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice..."

An effort by Congress, failed to bring the 22nd Amendment, which effectively barred a person from being elected president more than twice failed; especially with President Truman's dismissal of the proposed amendment. In 1952, in year seven of his presidency and despite historic unpopularity Harry Truman ran again for the Democratic Nomination, this time facing an uphill battle against General Dwight Eisenhower.

Eisenhower capitalized on Truman's unpopularity and Democratic fatigue and crushed the incumbent President in a landslide. There would be no Dewey-Defeats Truman Moment in '52...

Dwight Eisenhower/Richard Nixon: 439 (55.0%)

Harry Truman/Adlai Stevenson: 92 (43.8%)

The eight years of Eisenhower saw peace abroad and prosperity at home. The President enjoyed high marks from the American people and following his lopsided victory in '56 over Adlai Stevenson, Eisenhower looked to a third term in 1960.

"I refuse to be a lame duck!" Eisenhower told his staff. Despite health issues, Eisenhower seriously contemplated a third run at the Presidency, being the first FDR. He continued to enjoy strong popularity, however Eisenhower's health became an issue when he suffered a minor stroke in November of '57, thereby effectively ending his plans to run in 1960. "If I could only have one more term, just imagine what we could do for the people..."

Eisenhower's famous statement became the driving force for any candidate seeking a third term, but following Eisenhower, no President even got up to bat. John F. Kennedy, elected in 1960 was struck down by assassin's bullet in '63. Lyndon Johnson, who won his term in 1964 was so unpopular thanks to Vietnam that any hopes of a full second term were dashed.

Richard Nixon, who narrowly won the Presidency in 1968, and then was reelected in a landslide in 1972 began laying the groundwork for a third run in 1976. However, Watergate brought down Nixon's house of cards and in August of 1974 he resigned amid preparation for impeachment by the House.

Both Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter were denied second terms and face poor support at any chance for a second run. Barring FDR, no American President had successfully sought an won more than a second a term. All of that was to change in 1988.

Ronald Reagan, the former actor, the former Governor of California and incumbent president in '80 and '84 by landslide stood at the peak of Presidential greatness. Despite the Iran Contra Scandal which damaged Reagan's popularity to a degree, most Americans still held the President in high esteem, and despite his age and few rounds of health issues, the incumbent President stood ready to once again defy expectations and seek a third term as President.

Even following Reagan's 49 state sweep over Walter Mondale in 1984 most pundits and even most Americans believed that Reagan was done. At 77 years old he was already the oldest President in history and assuming he was reelected in 1989 would be 78 years old. The general consensus was that George Bush, the loyal Vice President would mount his own campaign in 1988 and pledge to continue Reagan's policies and stewardship.

Republicans, even strong supporters of the President did not waiver on his potential decision to run again. Throughout 1987 many Republican announced their campaigns, including Senator Bob Dole, Former Sec. of State Alexander Haig, Governor Tom Kean and Pat Robertson. Vice President Bush continued to sit on the fence, but by the time Reagan announced his campaign, Bush had decided against running, pledging to support the President, but announcing that he would not again as Vice President.

There he Goes Again: Reagan Announce Third Run

Republican Primary Poll:

Reagan: 67%

Dole: 15%

Haig: 4%

Kean: 2%

Robertson: 1%

Undecided: 11%

The announced campaign of Ronald Reagan, brought out the Democrats in full force. After eight years in the wilderness the Party was more than ready for a comeback, and the liberal wing; angered by the conservatism of The Reagan year could no longer hold back their fury. "It's time to end the trickle down economics, saber rattling with the Soviet Union and you're on you're own mentality," said Ted Kennedy a likely contender in '88.

There existed many voices, but no clear frontrunner for the nomination, which made it a wide open field. By the spring an array of candidate entered the race. From Tennessee Senator Al Gore, Delaware Senator Joe Biden, Rep. and former Vice Presidential Nominee Geraldine Ferraro Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rep. Dick Gephardt and Sen. Lloyd Bentsen. Still, many Democrats waited for decisions from Sen. Ted Kennedy, the liberal lion and guardian of Camelot, Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton, who was seen by many to be a rising star in the party and New York Governor Mario Cuomo, who thrilled delegates at the 1984 convention.

Prior to any announcements by the remaining three, Geraldine Ferraro rose to the top of the pack, the first time a woman was strong and serious contender for a party's nomination, though many doubted if were to become the nominee that she would far well against Ronald Reagan.

Democratic Primary Poll:

Geraldine Ferraro: 22%

Lloyd Bentsen: 14%

Joe Biden: 11%

Al Gore: 9%

Dick Gephardt: 4%%

Jesse Jackson: 4%

Undecided: 36%

Cuomo ultimately decided against running, thus paving the way for Ted Kennedy should he decided. While most polls showed Kennedy as the favorite for the nomination, in polling against Reagan did not fare to well.

Reagan v. Kennedy (R+10)

Reagan: 53%

Kennedy: 43%

With Cuomo out of the way, Bill Clinton took to the stage and declared his campaign and while he was unknown to much of the country, his status in the Democratic Party was a star that would only burn brighter. Still he faced an uphill climb.

Reagan v. Clinton (R+25)

Reagan: 60%

Clinton: 35%

Ultimately, Kennedy decided against running, feeling he belonged best in the Senate, but remained committed to electing a Democrat President in 1988.

Democratic Primary Poll:

Ferraro: 20%

Bentsen: 15%

Biden: 15%

Clinton: 10%

Gore: 5%

Jackson: 4%

Gephardt: 2%

Undecided: 29%

More Than Your Average Joe?

"For too long in this society, we have celebrated unrestrained individualism over common community. For too long as a nation, we have been lulled by the anthem of self-interest. For a decade, led by Ronald Reagan, self-aggrandizement has been the full-throated cry of this society: 'I've got mine so why don't you get yours' and 'What's in it for me?' ... We must rekindle the fire of idealism in our society, for nothing suffocates the promise of America more than unbounded cynicism and indifference"

By the early fall it appeared as though the top contenders for the nomination were Joe Biden, Geraldine Ferraro and Bill Clinton. Lloyd Bentsen, who's campaign began with high hopes, soon fell apart after a series of poor debate performances and weak campaigning. He withdrew and backed Biden before the Iowa Caucuses. Jesse Jackson was viewed as a dark horse candidate. His speaking ability was top notch and many Democrats flocked to his candidacy. Still, the question remained: Who could defeat Ronald Reagan?

Iowa Caucuses: Democrats

Joe Biden: 29%

Geraldine Ferraro: 25%

Bill Clinton: 20%

Dick Gephardt: 13%

Al Gore: 8%

Jesse Jackson: 3%

Other: 1%

Iowa Caucuses: Republicans

Ronald Reagan: 51.0%

Bob Dole: 34.8%

Pat Robertson: 10.2%

Tom Kean: 1.9%

Other: 2.1%

[Vega]

Great job! This is very interesting; to think of Reagan running for a third term...

[Potatoe]

Why would Kennedy lose by that big a margin in polling?

[DKrol]

Yes, yes, yes!

[sdu754]

At 77, I don't think Reagan would have went for a third term. I think Clinton might have, either in 2000 or 2008. (better chances in 2008 of winning)

[Consciously Unconscious]

Very interesting.  I have a feeling this is going to end badly for Reagan though.  He will be so old by the end of his third term.   (If he gets reelected that is) 

[Vega]

Very interesting.  I have a feeling this is going to end badly for Reagan though.  He will be so old by the end of his third term.   (If he gets reelected that is) 

Also, if I remember right, he announced his Alzheimer's in 1994. And it probably started to set in a year or two earlier.

And I second the Clinton third term. I could see him running in 2008, too, as a elder statesman.

[MATTROSE94]

Looks pretty good so far. BTW, did Eisenhower pick up North Carolina, Arkansas and Missouri in 1956 in this TL, or was the Electoral map roughly the same as in RL?

[NHI]

Looks pretty good so far. BTW, did Eisenhower pick up North Carolina, Arkansas and Missouri in 1956 in this TL, or was the Electoral map roughly the same as in RL?

The same as in RL.

[NHI]

No Stopping Him Now

Ronald Reagan, easily and quite convincingly won the New Hampshire, squashing whatever momentum Bob Dole tried to claim he had coming off his second place finish in Iowa. The Kansas Senator seemed to acknowledge the likelihood of a Reagan nomination and the implausibility of him taking down the Gipper. Dole withdrew from the race after New Hampshire pledged his whole support to Reagan. With Kean long gone, only Robertson remained, but with Dole's campaign over Reagan could look comfortably to the general election.

NH Primary: Republicans

Ronald Reagan: 77.9%

Bob Dole: 19.2%

Tom Kean: 1.1%

Pat Robertson: 0.5%

Other: 1.3%

Clinton's better than expected third place finish in Iowa gave him momentum heading into New Hampshire and thanks to his knack for retail politics, the Granite State was a perfect fit for the Arkansas governor. Biden, the Iowa victor seemed to fumble in the state and lost ground to Clinton and Ferraro. In the end Clinton narrowly squeaked by with Biden finishing second.

New Hampshire Primary: Democrats

Bill Clinton: 29.0%

Joe Biden: 28.5%

Geraldine Ferraro: 22.0%

Dick Gephardt: 11.3%

Jesse Jackson: 4.4%

Al Gore: 3.9%

Other: 1.5%

For the Democrats the real battle lied in South Carolina, where Bill Clinton hoped he could use as a launching pad to the nomination. Al Gore ended his campaign and backed Clinton and Gephardt was backing Ferraro. The remaining contenders were Biden and Clinton, with Jackson as a potential dark horse in South Carolina and Ferraro, who looked for a comeback.

Ferraro Campaigns in South Carolina with Former VP Mondale

Energy and passion surrounded her campaign, but she never seemed to launch. 'The right stuff was there, but unfortunately it didn't happen," said Former Vice President and 1984 Presidential Nominee Walter Mondale on his former running mate's camapign.

Jesse!?

Jackson pulled a shocking upset and won the South Carolina primary, with Clinton finishing second.

South Carolina Primary: Democrats

Jesse Jackson: 36.4%

Bill Clinton: 28.7%

Joe Biden: 18.8%

Geraldine Ferraro: 14.4%

Other: 1.7%

General Election Polling: Clinton v. Reagan

Ronald Reagan: 52%

Bill Clinton: 38%

Undecided: 10%

Ferraro v. Reagan

Ronald Reagan: 53%

Geraldine Ferraro: 40%

Undecided: 7%

Biden v. Reagan

Ronald Reagan: 51%

Joe Biden: 41%

Undecided: 8%

Is He Up to Four More Years?

Reagan maintained a comfortable lead in the polls, but Democrats continued to harp on the age issue; playing up the question: Is he too old to lead? The Reagan campaign denounced the question as they did in '84, but it continued to persist and the President and his team knew the issue would not be going away.

[Vega]

Great job, again!

[NHI]

Joe Biden: 10,549,111 (43.22%)

Bill Clinton: 8,101,422 (33.19%)

Jesse Jackson: 5,003,491 (20.49%)

Geraldine Ferraro: 415,716 (1.70%)

Other: 337,782 (1.40%)

Total Votes: 24,407,522

The Battle for the Democratic Nomination became a contest between Joe Biden, Bill Clinton and Jesse Jackson. Jackson's win in South Carolina gave his campaign a boost and he ended up winning four contests and the District of Columbia. Bill Clinton, the rock-and-roll governor from Arkansas, who danced around whispers of extramarital affairs came a close second and won many southern states. His biggest victory was in Illinois, where he topped Bide by 0.2%.

Joe Biden, ultimately proved to be the capable candidate; going the distance and securing the nomination. His working class roots and appeal to the so-called 'Reagan-Democrats' made him an attractive candidate; especially going up against Ronald Reagan in the fall.

While Biden narrowed down his list for Vice President, Reagan ahead of the GOP convention announced his pick to replace George Bush. Reagan tapped Former UN Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick. The pick excited the base and was seen as a bold move by the aging President. Others rumored to be on the list included Jack Kemp and Bob Dole.

For his running mate Joe Biden went with Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis. After eight years of Ronald Reagan, Democrats believed their best shot at reclaiming the White House lied in the hands of two young candidates; who looked to create a new Democratic Party that could compete against the Republican machine.

General Election Poll: R+10

Ronald Reagan: 51%

Joe Biden: 41%

Undecided: 8%

"...we're going to build a new America, a better America. A stronger America than we've seen these eight years with Republicans at the helm. This election is not about Democrats or Republicans, it's about what kind of country we want to live in. By working together, all of us are enriched. For a new era of economic greatest it's time to turn the page on Ronald Reagan...Now our President is a decent man and he loves this country, but his campaign is past his prime. It's over. This Administration has forgotten the many and looked only after the few. It's time to change. It's time for a new beginning. It is truly time for it to be morning in American again."

Leaving the Democratic Convention, Reagan's lead in the polls shrunk.

General Election Poll: R+4

Ronald Reagan: 49%

Joe Biden: 44%

Ronald Reagan: 265

Joe Biden: 133

Undecided: 140

[NHI]

The general election campaign kicks off.

Hot off his convention, Reagan looked to regain his momentum against the Delaware Senator.

"Our polices of the past eight years have been growth, continued growth, not tax and spend. Let us not turn back the clock, let us keep moving forward, always forward." -- Ronald Reagan.

General Election Poll: Reagan +5

Ronald Reagan: 50%

Joe Biden: 45%

Undecided: 5%

Is Ronald Reagan Too Old to Be President?

Yes: 38%

No:  51%

Undecided/No Opinion: 11%

Who is best to handle the economy?

Ronald Reagan: 51%

Joe Biden: 38%

Undecided/No Opinion: 11%

Who is seen as a strong leader?

Ronald Reagan: 57%

Joe Biden: 33%

Undecided/No Opinion: 10%

Who is best to handle foreign policy?

Ronald Reagan: 56%

Joe Biden: 32%

Undecided/No Opinion: 12%

Is Jeane Kirkpatrick Qualified to be President?

Yes: 54%

No:  37%

Undecided/No Opinion: 9%

Is Michael Dukakis Qualified to be President?

Yes: 51%

No:  40%

Undecided/No Opinion: 9%

Ronald Reagan: Approval Rating

Approve: 53%

Disapprove: 37%

Undecided/No Opinion: 10%

Joe Biden: Approval Rating

Approve: 48%

Disapprove: 34%

Undecided/No Opinion: 18%

Ohio: Poll (Reagan +4)

Ronald Reagan: 49%

Joe Biden: 45%

Pennsylvania: Poll (Reagan +1)

Ronald Reagan: 48%

Joe Biden: 47%

Wisconsin: Poll (Biden +2)

Joe Biden: 48%

Ronald Reagan: 46%

West Virginia: Poll (Biden +3)

Joe Biden: 49%

Ronald Reagan: 46%

Illinois: Poll (Reagan +3)

Ronald Reagan: 50%

Joe Biden: 47%

California: Poll (Reagan +11)

Ronald Reagan: 55%

Joe Biden: 44%

Michigan: Poll (Reagan +2)

Ronald Reagan: 49%

Joe Biden: 47%

New York: Poll (Biden +4)

Joe Biden: 48%

Ronald Reagan: 44%

New Jersey: Poll (Tied)

Joe Biden: 46%

Ronald Reagan: 46%

New Hampshire: Poll (Reagan +7)

Ronald Reagan: 52%

Joe Biden: 45%

Iowa: Poll (Tied)

Ronald Reagan: 47%

Joe Biden: 47%

Missouri: Poll (Reagan +4)

Ronald Reagan: 50%

Joe Biden: 46%

[Senator Cris]

Great!

[badgate]

Brilliant VP pick by Reagan.

[Sec. of State Superique]

Iran-Contra?

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Go Raygun!

[NHI]

The Debates

When lambasted by Biden during the first Presidential debate, over whether or not the President would agree to raise taxes; despite his campaign pledge not to, Reagan relied for the third time on his famous quip, "Oh Joe, there you go again."

The debate was seen as largely a draw, Reagan was seen as strong, but Biden did not make any gaffes to destroy himself and kept the race viable.

General Election Poll: (Reagan +3)

Ronald Reagan: 49%

Joe Biden: 46%

Reagan looked ready to become the first President since FDR to be reelected to a third term. Democrats continued to harp on the age issue, as well as Iran-Contra, but the President managed to avoid any serious issues and kept his campaign focused.

In the Vice Presidential debate Jeane Kirkpatrick trounced Michael Dukakis and painted him as a liberal democrat, who was soft on communism. "The Democrats are trying to paint themselves as a new party, a party of fresh ideas, but the only thing we see is fresh faces. It's the same old policies, same failed ones might I add." -- Jeane Kirkpatrick

The 1988 campaign, despite its' historic significance over the third term, wounded down on a low note. The candidates made no major gaffes and on Election Day, Reagan looked to be headed for reelection, some wonder over a possible Biden upset. The final poll showed a close race, but with Reagan in the lead.

Dixville Notch: Results

Ronald Reagan: 25

Joe Biden: 13

Final General Election Poll: Average

Ronald Reagan: 50.4%

Joe Biden: 47.9%

Ronald Reagan: 0 (65%)

Joe Biden: 0 (34%)

Indiana: Reagan

Ronald Reagan: 57%

Joe Biden: 42%

South Carolina: Reagan

Ronald Reagan: 61%

Joe Biden: 38%

Kentucky: Reagan

Ronald Reagan: 58%

Joe Biden: 41%

Georgia: Reagan

Ronald Reagan: 58%

Joe Biden: 41%

Virginia: Reagan

Ronald Reagan: 56%

Joe Biden: 43%

Florida: Reagan

Ronald Reagan: 55%

Joe Biden: 44%

New Hampshire: Reagan

Ronald Reagan: 56%

Joe Biden: 43%

Ronald Reagan: 78 (57%)

Joe Biden: 0 (42%)

Vermont: Too Close to Call

Ronald Reagan: 52%

Joe Biden: 47%

North Carolina: Reagan

Ronald Reagan: 57%

Joe Biden: 42%

Alabama: Reagan

Ronald Reagan: 62%

Joe Biden: 37%

Ronald Reagan: 100  (58%)

Joe Biden: 0 (41%)

Ohio: Too Close to Call

Ronald Reagan: 51%

Joe Biden: 48%

West Virginia: Too Close to Call

Ronald Reagan: 50%

Joe Biden: 49%

9:30...

Democrats Keep Control of Senate

Ronald Reagan: 203

Joe Biden: 98

Pennsylvania: Too Close to Call

Joe Biden: 50%

Ronald Reagan: 49%

Illinois: Too Close to Call

Ronald Reagan: 51%

Joe Biden: 48%

Missouri: Too Close to Call

Ronald Reagan: 51%

Joe Biden: 48%

Michigan: Too Close to Call

Ronald Reagan: 51%

Joe Biden: 48%

New Jersey: Too Close to Call

Ronald Reagan: 52%

Joe Biden: 47%

West Virginia: Too Close to Call

Joe Biden: 50%

Ronald Reagan: 50%

Vermont: Reagan

Ronald Reagan: 51%

Joe Biden: 47%

Ronald Reagan: 206

Joe Biden: 98

[NHI]

West Virginia: Biden

Joe Biden: 50%

Ronald Reagan: 49%

Ronald Reagan: 206

Joe Biden: 104

9:45

Ohio: Reagan

Ronald Reagan: 51%

Joe Biden: 48%

Colorado: Reagan

Ronald Reagan: 53%

Joe Biden: 46%

Illinois: Reagan

Ronald Reagan: 52%

Joe Biden: 47%

Ronald Reagan: 261

Joe Biden: 104

9:52

Missouri: Reagan

Ronald Reagan: 51%

Joe Biden: 48%

Ronald Reagan: Re-Elected To 3rd Term

Ronald Reagan: 272

Joe Biden: 104

Final Results:

Ronald Reagan/Jeane Kirkpatrick: 364

Joe Biden/Michael Dukakis: 174

Popular Vote: 53.4% Turnout

Ronald Reagan/Jeane Kirkpatrick: 53.16% (51,886,047)

Joe Biden/Michael Dukakis: 45.91% (44,809,074)

Other: 0.93% 898,613)

Total: 97,593,734 votes

Next Installment: Election Night '92

[NHI]

The Man From Hope and the Race of a Lifetime

Bill Clinton: 11,457,249 (69.88%)

Paul Tsongas: 3,656,010 (22.30%)

Tom Harkin: 280,304 (1.70%)

The Race to Be First and the Fourth Term

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 9,119,463 (77.73%)

Bob Dole: 1,299,488 (11.07%)

Pat Buchanan: 756,333 (6.44%)

[NHI]

"The Republicans...they've had the White House for too long. They've run out of energies, they run out of ideas and they ought to be run out of town and with your help we can! We've been promised economic expansion from trickle down, well it hasn't been the wealth that's been trickling down. It's time for change and Americans across this country want it, they're hungry it and they're going to vote for it."

"Bill Clinton is feckless! He lacks the foreign policy credentials to be President of the United States. He's nothing but a slick oil salesmen, hell bent on turning this country in the wrong direction."

Face of the Democratic Party

Reagan and Kirkpatrick Campaign

VP on the Attack

"Bill Clinton talks about what is wrong with America, and seems to forget everything that is right with America! He's the one who's out of touch folks, he's untried, he's inexperienced..."

Ronald Reagan Approval Rating: 38%

Approve: 38%

Disapprove: 52%

No Opinion/Undecided: 10%

Unemployment Rate: 7.6%

Jeane Kirkpatrick Approval Rating: 37%

Approve: 37%

Disapprove: 53%

Undecided/No opinion: 10%

Who is Best to Handle the Economy?

Bill Clinton: 54%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 39%

Undecided: 7%

Who is Best to Handle Foreign Policy?

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 50%

Bill Clinton: 41%

Undecided: 9%

Is America Ready for a Female President?

Yes: 45%

No: 42%

Undecided/No opinion: 13%

General Election Polling (Clinton +5)

Bill Clinton: 49%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 44%

Undecided: 7%

Ohio Poll: (Clinton +3)

Bill Clinton: 49%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 46%

Missouri Poll: (Clinton +4)

Bill Clinton: 49%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 45%

California Poll: (Tied)

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 48%

Bill Clinton: 48%

Tennessee Poll: (Clinton +4)

Bill Clinton: 51%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 47%

Kentucky Poll: (Clinton +3)

Bill Clinton: 50%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 46%

Congressional Polling: (Democrats +11)

Democrats: 52%

Republicans: 41%

Undecided: 7%

[NHI]

Clinton in the debate: I feel your pain.

Blames Reagan and Republicans for the weak economy.

General Election Polling: (Clinton +6)

Bill Clinton: 50%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 44%

Who Won the First Debate?

Bill Clinton: 39%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 27%

Tie: 18%

Undecided/No opinion: 16%

President Reagan Approval Rating: 38%

Approve: 39%

Disapprove: 52%

Undecided/No opinion: 9%

Vice President Jeane Kirkpatrick Approval Rating: 36%

Approve: 36%

Disapprove: 53%

Undecided/No opinion: 11%

Gov. Bill Clinton Approval Rating: 50%

Approve: 50%

Disapprove: 37%

Undecided/No opinion: 13%

Bill Clinton: 218

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 208

Tossup: 109

Bill Clinton: The Man Of Hope

"I think there was an energy in the country. Bill Clinton tapped into that feeling...He's an extraordinary politician, especially going up against Jeane Kirkpatrick, because despite the economy and the Republican rule for twelve years Ronald Reagan was a popular figure and she was riding on the wave of history." -- James Carville

"It was a bad time to run. It was a bad time to
 be a Republican. She knew it. We knew it. The President knew it. It's frustrating when the hand of history is not on your side, especially in a time when it should be." -- Mary Matalin

America's Iron Lady

Jeane Kirkpatrick was running to become the first woman President, and despite having served as Vice President and fighting to present herself as extremely qualified to be President, her campaign failed to tap into the historic nature of her candidacy. They didn't know how.

[badgate]

I wish we knew more about Reagan's third term, how his approval got so bad and such. I assume it's mostly the same broad strokes as Bush 41's term though...anyway this is great and I hope you keep updating it!

[NHI]

Legacy of The Gipper

Ronald Reagan was one of the most polarizing and popular political figures of the 20th century. His start as an FDR, liberal democrats, into a full political conversion in the 1960s when he became a staunch Republican and the leader of the conservative movement. From the Governor's Mansion to the White House Ronald Reagan was never one to be underestimated. He sought the Presidency twice, coming close to winning the nomination in 1976, but lost narrowly to Gerald Ford, who went on to lose to Jimmy Carter, whom Reagan defeated four years later. He presided over an era of economic expansion and prosperity, while presiding over the largest increase in deficit and government spending in history. His tough Cold Warrior appeal, yet pragmatic leadership made him a successful partner in dealing with Mikhail Gorbachev.

Reagan's most passionate supporters give him credit for the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Collapse of the Soviet Union. In a world no longer defined by the Cold War, the United States under Reagan's watch has become the sole remaining superpower and during the Gulf War Reagan saw the highest approval rating of any American President with 82%. Still, beset by circumstances the recession hurt Reagan's popularity and that of his Vice President Jeane Kirkpatrick. Reagan, who turned 80 in 1991 knew that he would not seek a fourth term, unlike his predecessor and presidential role model FDR did in 1944.

In 1991 Republicans looked to have a lock on the White House, but now that lock is in question, as Jeane Kirkpatrick fights for her political life against Governor Bill Clinton who's entire campaign is based on the failures of the economy under Reagan and Kirkpatrick. The President, who's approval rating as of late has stood at 38%, has seen some improvement. Support for the President now stands at 40%, while Kirkpatrick hovers around 37%.

General Election Poll: Sept. 1992 (Clinton +5)

Bill Clinton: 50%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 45%

General Election Polling: Feb. 1991 (Kirkpatrick +11)

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 49%

Bill Clinton: 38%

[NHI]

Election Night 1992

Kentucky: Too Close to Call

South Carolina: Too Early to Call

Indiana: <2%

√ Jeane Kirkpatrick: 53%

Bill Clinton: 46%

Vermont: Too Close to Call

Georgia: Too Close to Call

West Virginia: Too Close to Call

Virginia: Too Close to Call

Ohio: Too Close to Call

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 12 (53%)

Bill Clinton: 0 (46%)

West Virginia: 10%

√ Bill Clinton: 54%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 45%

Vermont: 12%

√ Bill Clinton: 55%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 44%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 12 (47%)

Bill Clinton: 8 (51%)

South Carolina: 21%

√ Jeane Kirkpatrick: 54%

Bill Clinton: 45%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 20 (49%)

Bill Clinton: 8 (50%)

Kentucky: 34%

√ Bill Clinton: 53%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 46%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 20 (48%)

Bill Clinton: 16 (50%)

Georgia: Too Close to Call

Bill Clinton: 51%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 48%

Ohio: Too Close to Call

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 50%

Bill Clinton: 49%

Virginia: 33%

√ Jeane Kirkpatrick: 53%

Bill Clinton: 46%

Florida: Too Close to Call

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 52%

Bill Clinton: 47%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 33 (49.2%)

Bill Clinton: 16 (49.8%)

"This has been a back-and-forth race from the very beginning, like a game of ping pong between the Chinese and Americans back in '72. Many expected, because Governor Clinton is leading in the polls that it would be a wash tonight. Now, it's early, but Vice President Jeane Kirkpatrick is holding on. Many states like Virginia and South Carolina where the Clinton campaign thought they had a chance to be competitive have stayed in the Republican column and are unmovable like a mountain top." -- Dan Rather

8:00 pm

Maryland

√ Bill Clinton: 55%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 44%

Delaware

√ Bill Clinton: 54%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 45%

Massachusetts

√ Bill Clinton: 59%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 40%

Connecticut

√ Bill Clinton: 54%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 45%

Rhode Island

√ Bill Clinton: 58%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 41%

Maine

√ Bill Clinton: 53%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 46%

Washington, DC

√ Bill Clinton: 87%

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 12%

Alabama: Too Close to Call

Mississippi: Too Close to Call

Tennessee: Too Close to Call

Pennsylvania: Too Close to Call

New Jersey: Too Close to Call

New Hampshire: Too Close to Call

North Carolina: Too Close to Call

Missouri: Too Early To Call

Illinois: Too Close to Call

Oklahoma

√ Jeane Kirkpatrick: 57%

Bill Clinton: 42%

Bill Clinton: 59 (54%)

Jeane Kirkpatrick: 41 (45%)