Ralph Jenkins' presidency was marked by:
• Comprehensive healthcare reform. In late 1989, Jenkins signed into law a bill expanding Medicaid, creating a $35,000 tax credit, increasing regulation of healthcare, providing a reinsurance pool for employers, capping annual premiums, and filling gaps in health coverage. The legislation had some bipartisan support, being only opposed by hardliners on both sides of the aisle.
• Protectionism: A few months after taking office, Jenkins issues executive orders imposing higher import tariffs on Japanese and South Korean steel and automobiles.
• Changes to the United States' tax system: Ronald Reagan's tax cuts for the rich were scaled back, and federal taxation was abolished for those making below $10,000 per year starting in 1991.
• Reforms to education: There was a focus on trade schools, and teachers' wages were raised; funding for the Department of Education was increased by $3 billion each year.
• Arms control agreements: The INF Treaty went into effect in 1989, and shortly before the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Ralph Jenkins and Mikhail Gorbachev agreed on a SALT III treaty.
• Gun control: In 1989, the "gun show" loophole was closed by the federal government.
• Energy independence: An annual, comprehensive energy strategy was formed, with price supports for domestic oil production being restored. During fiscal year 1992, a renewable energy tax credit went into effect.
• Increases to the minimum wage: In 1990, the federal minimum wage was raised to $3 per hour, with some exceptions for small businesses.
• Restrictions on abortion: In 1990, the United States banned elective abortion after the third trimester, except if the mother's life was at risk.
• Foreign interventions: While Jenkins reduced military spending, his Administration invaded Panama to overthrow Manuel Noriega, and Intervened in Kuwait to kick out Iraqi troops from the country.
• Anti-apartheid policies: in 1989, South Africa was declared a rogue state by the US government, subsequently ending apartheid policies.
• Agricultural reforms: Aggressively intervened in the agricultural sector, while increasing farm subsidies and making school breakfast mandatory.
Jenkins' popularity skyrocketed after the Gulf War; but Republican backlash against his policies remained.
Bob Dole won the Republican nomination after a tough battle against Jack Kemp and Trent Lott, among others. In the general election, Bob Dole campaigned as a moderate conservative, fiscally and socially; he tried to appeal to moderates and conservative Democrats dissatisfied by Jenkins' policies by promising tax cuts, welfare reform and the continuation of free trade. Dole attacked Jenkins for his policies on taxes and foreign trade, which the Senate Majority Leader described as "destructive". He chose Jack Kemp as a running mate, in order to appeal to northeastern voters dissatisfied with Jenkins' economic populism.
Ralph Jenkins, on the other hand, pledged to continue the "tested and approved" policies of his first term, while defending his controversial policies on foreign trade and taxes, pointing out how they had benefitted all Americans. Jenkins' savvy campaign manager James Carville implemented an early blitz of swing states with television ads promoting the President's agenda. Jenkins also made the end of the Cold War a major talking point; he was supported by billionaires Donald Trump and Ross Perot, who supported his protectionism.
At the beginning, Jenkins had a 10% lead in the polls. However, as the race went own, it tightened. During the first presidential debate, Bob Dole defeated the President, by highlighting his experience and policies implemented over a long career; this increased Dole's momentum, and he began to campaign with conservative Democrats like Sam Nunn and Joe Lieberman, in attempt to unite the opposition to Jenkins. However, the President's reelection become insurmountable after he won the second debate, being more clear when making his points, and appearing decisive.
Jenkins was reelected over Dole, flipping Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, Louisiana and Arkansas, while Bob Dole won back South Dakota. Jenkins was the first Democrat to win Connecticut and Maine since 1968, to carry Louisiana and Arkansas since 1976, and the first one to win Montana twice since FDR.
