Clinton left office in disgrace, with low numbers. He's still trying to reinvent himself
His personal approval ratings were low. His job approval ratings ("Do you approve of the job X is doing as President?) were in the 60's in the last poll Gallup took of his administration, week of January 15th, 2001. Check the Gallup site if you don't believe me. Have what opinions you will but at least respect the historical facts.
Clinton only fooled a minority into voting for him, w/o Perot taking GOP votes, he would never win.
In 1996, Clinton got 49%, Dole less than 41%, Perot 8%. Clinton would have won even if Perot's support came from voters who would otherwise have voted 100% for the GOP. It was certainly a landslide compared to Election 2000! You can make a reasonable argument that Perot might have cost Bush 41 the election in 1988, when his totals were higher. But in 1996 Clinton won handily. Again, opinions are fine, just don't rewrite the facts.
Why? He never succeeded before. Polls showed the majority would not have voted for again. Polls showed a majority were happy to be rid of him.
If there's one lesson that people are drawing from 2000, it's that campaigns do matter. I never thought Bush was a strong campaigner (you really do need an articulate politician for that), but he improved as he went along. Gore didn't.
If you look at Clinton's history, it shows a man who is a world-class genius at talking himself out of trouble and coming back from the political dead. Remember the position he was in after the 1994 midterms and Gingrich revolution? What position was he in a year later? He would have run rings around Bush as a campaigner and challenged him in ways Gore never did. Even without a strong challenge from Gore, Bush had his share of stumbles on campaign. Clinton would have swooped in for the kill. Gore stood there like a wooden Indian. Just speculation of course and MHO. |
