2000: Bob Dole Presidency

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1996: Senator Dole elected, defeats President Clinton

On November 5, 1996, Republican Senator Bob Dole made history when he defeated incumbent President Bill Clinton in the 1996 Presidential Election with an electoral count of 282-256.

It was a hard-fought campaign for both candidates, with Dole running on a platform of fiscal responsibility, tax reform, and a strong national defense. Dole's message resonated with many voters and he was able to gain the support of a majority of the electorate in enough states to win the election.

The election was also an historic one for Dole, as he was the oldest candidate to ever run for President at 73 years old. He was also the first World War II veteran to be nominated for President by a major party. He was able to use his experience in the military and in Congress to his advantage, touting his ability to work with both Republicans and Democrats to get things done.

Although he was ultimately unsuccessful in his bid for the White House, Dole's victory over Clinton was significant for several reasons. First, it showed that the Republican Party was still a viable force in American politics. Second, it demonstrated that Dole was a strong candidate with a message that resonated with voters.

[Suburbia]

The Lewinsky scandals came out in January 1996, affair happened in 1995.

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The Lewinsky scandals came out in January 1996, affair happened in 1995.

That's basically the main reason why Clinton lost in '96 in this TL.

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President Bob Dole's first year: 1997

Successes:

1. Signed a balanced budget into law.

2. Secured a tax cut for middle-class Americans.

3. Increased funding for education and job training programs.

4. Signed an executive order ending government discrimination against LGBT employees.

5. Negotiated a peace treaty between Israel and Palestine.

Failures:

1. Failed to pass legislation to reform the welfare system.

2. Failed to pass legislation to reduce the federal deficit.

3. Failed to pass a bill to overhaul the Social Security system.

4. Failed to pass legislation to expand health insurance coverage.

5. Failed to pass legislation to regulate campaign finance.

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President Bob Dole's second year: 1998

Successes:

1. Brokered a historic peace treaty between the United States and Cuba.

2. Successfully negotiated a major free trade agreement with Canada and Mexico.

3. Signed a bill to increase funding for education and job training.

4. Passed an economic stimulus package designed to create new jobs and stimulate economic growth.

5. Signed a bill to increase the minimum wage.

Failures:

1. Failed to pass welfare reform legislation.

2. Failed to pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.

3. Failed to pass legislation to reduce the national debt.

4. Failed to make progress in reforming the tax code.

5. Failed to pass a bill to reform the Social Security system.

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BREAKING: GORE RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT


On January 18, 1999, former Vice President Al Gore announced his candidacy for President of the United States in a speech that outlined his vision for the future of the country. In his speech, Gore declared “I have come here today to announce my candidacy for President of the United States.”

During his announcement, Gore spoke about his commitment to the American people, citing his experience in government and his vision for the future. He noted that the country was at a “turning point,” and that he wanted to lead a new generation of leadership that was committed to “working together to make the most of our opportunities and to build a better future for all Americans.”

Gore also touched on his plans to address several issues facing the country, including health care, education, and the environment. He spoke of his commitment to creating a “sustainable environment” and “universal access to health care,” as well as “a strong economy and a secure future for all our citizens.”

BREAKING: BRADLEY MAKES 2000 RUN OFFICIAL


On January 22nd, 1999, Senator Bill Bradley announced his candidacy for President at a press conference in his hometown of Crystal City, Missouri. Bradley, a three-term Senator from New Jersey, declared his candidacy with a stirring speech to the gathered media and supporters.

“Today, I announce my candidacy for President of the United States,” Bradley said. “This is a decision I have made with a deep sense of responsibility and with an abiding faith in the American people.”

Bradley went on to emphasize his commitment to addressing the issues he saw as most important facing the nation. “My campaign will be focused on the issues that matter most to the American people: education, health care, and economic opportunity,” he said. “I have always believed that solutions to these problems must be rooted in the values of our great nation: hard work, responsibility, and fairness.”

Throughout his announcement speech, Senator Bradley was adamant that the concerns of everyday Americans should be the foundation of his campaign. “This is not a campaign about the past. This is a campaign about the future,” he said. “This is a campaign about giving everyone a chance to succeed, no matter what."

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BREAKING: KERRY RUNNING FOR POTUS


On February 2, 1999, Senator John Kerry announced his candidacy for President of the United States. In a speech at the FleetCenter in Boston, Massachusetts, Senator Kerry declared his commitment to restoring America’s promise of opportunity for all its citizens.

“I am running for president to put America back on track,” said Senator Kerry. “I am running to restore the promise of opportunity and security to all Americans. I am running to restore the promise of a better future for our children. I am running to restore the promise of America.”

The speech emphasized Senator Kerry’s commitment to economic and social justice, and his vision of an America in which all individuals have the opportunity to succeed. He discussed his plan to strengthen the economy, improve education and healthcare, and protect the environment. Senator Kerry also discussed his record of public service, noting his experience as a Vietnam veteran and a public servant in the U.S. Senate.

Senator Kerry closed his speech with a call for Americans to “join together to meet the challenges of the new millennium.”

BREAKING: DEAN MAKES '00 RUN FOR POTUS


On February 18, 1999, Vermont Governor Howard Dean announced his candidacy for President of the United States. A physician and staunch advocate for progressive causes, Dean was the fourth Democratic candidate to officially enter the 2000 election race.

In his speech, Dean declared, “This is not a time for the same old, same old. This is a time for bold and innovative ideas that will move our country forward. We must bring people together to build a better future for all Americans.” He also criticized President Dole's foreign policy, saying it “has done little to achieve a lasting peace” and calling for “an end to the cycle of violence” in the Middle East.

Dean's campaign focused on his accomplishments as governor of Vermont, including balancing the state budget and expanding access to health care. He also championed progressive causes such as campaign finance reform and universal health care. His campaign platform included plans to invest in education and protect the environment, as well as an end to the death penalty.

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BREAKING: KERREY ENTERS 2000 FIELD


On February 22nd, 1999, Senator Bob Kerrey of Nebraska announced his candidacy for the 2000 Presidential election. The announcement was made during a speech at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he declared that “America’s future depends upon a leader who will articulate a vision of the future and inspire a nation to realize that vision.”

Kerrey is a decorated Vietnam War veteran, a former Governor of Nebraska, and a two-term Senator. He's a moderate Democrat who had a long history of bipartisanship, and was seen as a viable alternative to the two major frontrunners, former Vice President Al Gore and Senator Bill Bradley.

In his address, Kerrey argued that the nation needed a leader who could effectively address the challenges of the 21st century: “We must recognize that the future is not ours to control, but ours to shape. We must recognize that the success of our nation depends upon our ability to anticipate the future and act accordingly. We must recognize that the future belongs not to the large and the powerful, but to the small and the nimble.”

BREAKING: GEPHARDT ANNOUNCES RUN FOR PRESIDENT


On March 17th, 1999, Richard Gephardt announced his candidacy for the United States presidency. In front of a cheering crowd of supporters in his home state of Missouri, Gephardt declared his intentions to bring “real change to the White House.”

Gephardt, who had served in Congress since 1977 and as Speaker of the House since January, is recognized as one of the most powerful members of the Democratic Party. His campaign focused on a platform of economic and social reform, with an emphasis on improving the lives of the middle class.

In his speech, Gephardt declared “We must take this country in a new direction and make sure that every American has a fair chance to get ahead. We must create economic opportunity for all and make sure that every American has access to quality health care and a secure retirement.” He continued, “Tonight, I am here to ask you to join me in this fight. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can make history.”

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*Forgot to mention that in 1998, Democrats won the House 230-204 and the GOP won the Senate 51-49*

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BREAKING: WELLSTONE ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY


On March 30th, 1999, Senator Paul Wellstone announced his candidacy for President of the United States. Wellstone, a Democrat from Minnesota, had been in the United States Senate since 1991, and had built a reputation as a progressive and passionate advocate for working families.

In his announcement speech, delivered at the University of Minnesota Duluth, Wellstone said, “My campaign is based on a simple but powerful idea: we can make this nation better, fairer, and more just for all of our citizens. We can make sure that everyone has a chance to succeed in our country. We can make sure that all of our children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

Wellstone said that his campaign was based on a commitment to ending poverty and providing health care for all Americans, as well as protecting the environment, strengthening labor rights, and promoting economic justice. He also pledged to bring “real change” to Washington and to fight against “the special interests” that “have too much power” in the nation’s capital.

BREAKING: JACKSON MAKES BID FOR PRESIDENCY


On April 20th, 1999, civil rights activist and Shadow Senator Jesse Jackson announced his candidacy for President of the United States. Jackson, who had previously run for President in 1984 and 1988, declared his candidacy in a speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.

Jackson was joined by an enthusiastic crowd of supporters at the event, who cheered him on as he declared his intention to enter the presidential race. In his speech, Jackson spoke of his commitment to creating a more just and equitable society, and of his plans to use his candidacy to bring attention to the issues facing Americans today.

“We have come to a place of great hope and great promise. We have come to a place of common sense and common ground. We have come to a place of commitment and courage. We have come to a place of great possibilities and great progress. We are here today to declare our candidacy for the office of President of the United States of America.”

Jackson's candidacy was seen as a continuation of the civil rights movement of the 1960s, and he spoke of the need to continue to fight for social justice and racial equality. He also spoke of his plans to tackle serious issues such as poverty, healthcare, and education.

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BREAKING: BIDEN RUNNING FOR POTUS


On April 21st, 1999, Senator Joe Biden announced his candidacy for President of the United States. Biden, who has served in the Senate for over 20 years, declared his intention to run for the highest office in the land in a speech at the University of Delaware.

In his speech, Biden spoke of the importance of the upcoming election, and of the need for a leader who could bring the American people together. He said, “We have to choose the right leader for this extraordinary time, and that leader is me.” He continued, “I am the person who can bridge the gap between the generations and the races, the genders and the regions of this nation. I can bring our people together.”

In addition to calling for unity, Biden also stressed the importance of protecting the environment, strengthening the economy, and providing access to quality healthcare for all Americans. He noted that he had been a leader on these issues for years and was the best candidate to ensure that progress was achieved.

BREAKING: HART TO MAKE '00 RUN FOR PRESIDENT


On May 10th, 1999, Senator Gary Hart made a highly anticipated announcement: he was running for President of the United States. Hart, who served as a Senator from Colorado from 1975 to 1987, was a leading figure in the Democratic Party and had previously ran for President in 1984 and 1988.

The announcement, made at a rally in Denver, was met with enthusiastic cheers from supporters. In his speech, Hart said, “We Americans have a choice, and it is not between left and right, but between the past and the future. I am here today to ask you to join me in creating a new future, a future of hope and opportunity.”

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First Democratic Poll:
Al Gore: 30% (+8)
Bill Bradley: 22%
Jesse Jackson: 7%
Joe Biden: 6%
John Kerry: 3%
Bob Kerrey: 3%
Howard Dean: 3%
Richard Gephardt: 2%
Paul Wellstone: 0%
Gary Hart: 0%
Undecided: 24%

First General Election Poll:
Democrats: 47% (+4)
(I) President Bob Dole: 43%
Undecided: 10%

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2000 Iowa Caucus (45)
Joe Biden: 19.0% (25)
Bob Kerrey: 15.4% (20)
Howard Dean: 13.9%
Bill Bradley: 13.6%
John Kerry: 11.2%
Gary Hart: 9.1%
Richard Gephardt: 8.2%
Al Gore: 6.3%
Jesse Jackson: 2.4%
Paul Wellstone: 0.9%

Post-Iowa Democratic Poll:
Al Gore: 27% (+12)
Bill Bradley: 15%
John Kerry: 10%
Joe Biden: 7%
Jesse Jackson: 6%
Bob Kerrey: 3%
Howard Dean: 2%
Richard Gephardt: 2%
Gary Hart: 0%
Paul Wellstone: 0%
Undecided: 28%

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BREAKING: KERREY, KERRY AND BIDEN WIN 2 CONTESTS EACH

Democratic Delegate Count (1,783 needed to win)
Joe Biden: 117 delegates
Bob Kerrey: 94 delegates
John Kerry: 55 delegates
Howard Dean: 10 delegates

New Democratic Poll:
Al Gore: 24% (+8)
Joe Biden: 16%
Bill Bradley: 13%
John Kerry: 10%
Jesse Jackson: 5%
Bob Kerrey: 3%
Howard Dean: 2%
Richard Gephardt: 2%
Gary Hart: 1%
Paul Wellstone: 0%
Undecided: 24%

New General Election Poll:
(I) President Bob Dole: 51% (+4)
Democrats: 47%
Undecided: 2%

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BREAKING: BIDEN WINS 6 CONTESTS; GORE AND KERRY WIN ONE; HART, DEAN, WELLSTONE, KERRY DROP OUT; HART ENDORSES GORE

Democratic Delegate Count
Joe Biden: 293 delegates
Bob Kerrey: 117 delegates
Al Gore: 101 delegates
Bill Bradley: 91 delegates

New Democratic Poll
Joe Biden: 22% (+1)
Al Gore: 21%
Bill Bradley: 12%
Bob Kerrey: 5%
Jesse Jackson: 5%
Richard Gephardt: 2%
Undecided: 33%

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BREAKING: BIDEN WINS 3 CONTESTS; GEPHARDT DROPS OUT & ENDORSES BIDEN; JACKSON OUT

Democratic Delegate Count:
Joe Biden: 330 delegates
Bob Kerrey: 136 delegates
Al Gore: 127 delegates
Bill Bradley: 116 delegates

New Democratic Poll:
Joe Biden: 30% (+10)
Al Gore: 20%
Bill Bradley: 14%
Bob Kerrey: 10%
Undecided: 26%

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BREAKING: BIDEN WINS ID, UT; BRADLEY WINS HI

Democratic Delegate Count:
Joe Biden: 356 delegates
Al Gore: 143 delegates
Bob Kerrey: 140 delegates
Bill Bradley: 131 delegates

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BREAKING: BIDEN WINS 7 CONTESTS; KERREY WINS 2 & GORE WINS ONE

Democratic Delegate Count:
Joe Biden: 746 delegates
Al Gore: 436 delegates
Bob Kerrey: 414 delegates
Bill Bradley: 325 delegates

New Democratic Poll:
Joe Biden: 34% (+14)
Al Gore: 20%
Bob Kerrey: 17%
Bill Bradley: 16%
Undecided: 13%

New General Election Poll:
(I) President Bob Dole: 52.7% (+7.2%)
Democrats: 45.5%
Undecided: 1.8%

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BREAKING: BIDEN SWEEPS SIX CONTESTS; NOMINATION LOOKING LIKELIER

Democratic Delegate Count:
Joe Biden: 1,107 delegates
Al Gore: 528 delegates
Bob Kerrey: 464 delegates
Bill Bradley: 345 delegates

New Democratic Poll:
Joe Biden: 37% (+18)
Al Gore: 19%
Bob Kerrey: 18%
Bill Bradley: 16%
Undecided: 10%

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BREAKING: BIDEN WINS KS & IL; BRADLEY, KERREY DROP OUT

Democratic Delegate Count:
Joe Biden: 1,250 delegates
Al Gore: 567 delegates

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BREAKING: BIDEN WINS 5 CONTESTS; CALLS GROW FOR GORE TO WITHDRAW

Democratic Delegate Count:
Joe Biden: 1,492 delegates
Al Gore: 646 delegates

New Democratic Poll:
Joe Biden: 46% (+25)
Al Gore: 21%
Undecided: 33%

New General Election Poll:
(I) President Bob Dole: 53.1% (+7.9%)
Democrats: 45.2%
Undecided: 1.7%

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BREAKING: BIDEN WINS 6 CONTESTS; GORE LIKELY TO DROP OUT SOON

Democratic Delegate Count:
Joe Biden: 1,688 delegates
Al Gore: 700 delegates

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BREAKING: GORE DROPS OUT; BIDEN WINS NOMINATION

Democratic Nomination Results:
Joe Biden: 1,792 delegates (46.0%)
Al Gore: 737 delegates (21.5%)
Bob Kerrey: 464 delegates (14.6%)
Bill Bradley: 352 delegates (12.7%)
John Kerry: 82 delegates (2.5%)
Howard Dean: 10 delegates (0.6%)
Jesse Jackson: 5 delegates (1.2%)
Richard Gephardt: 0.5%
Gary Hart: 0.5%
Paul Wellstone: 0.1%

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BREAKING: BIDEN PICKS KERRY AS RUNNING MATE

On August 8th, 2000, Senator Joe Biden announced his pick for vice-presidential candidate in the upcoming election. He chose Senator John Kerry, a respected statesman from Massachusetts, as his running mate. Biden and Kerry's selection marked an important moment in the 2000 election and would become a pivotal choice for the Democratic Party.

Biden and Kerry had served together in the Senate for more than a decade, and Biden had high praise for his running mate. He described Kerry as a “man of unquestioned integrity and a record of strong leadership.” Biden believed that Kerry was the perfect person to help lead the Democratic ticket, and the two had a strong camaraderie that was evident during their public appearances.

The selection of Kerry was viewed as a strong move by Biden, as it positioned him as a centrist candidate and provided a counterweight to the more liberal stances of his presidential opponent, incumbent President Bob Dole. The two candidates had starkly different views on many important issues, such as taxation, health care, and foreign policy. However, Biden was able to establish an alliance with Kerry that allowed him to reach out to the moderate and independent voters who were key to the election.

First General Election Poll:
Bob Dole: 51.4% (+5.0)
Joe Biden: 46.4%
Undecided: 2.2%

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Final Election Results:
Bob Dole/Jack Kemp: 66,084,540 (51.0%) (325 electoral votes)
Joe Biden/John Kerry: 62,427,028 (48.1%) (213 electoral votes)