bush/clinton/bush 1988-present whipsawing the american political system

Bush/Clinton/Bush 1988-Present

Whipsawing the American Political System

1988 Presidential Election: Bush v Dukakis

First Gulf War

• The Gulf War (2 August 1990 – 28 February 1991) was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition force of 30 nations led by the United States and mandated by the United Nations in order to liberate Kuwait.

1992 Presidential Election: Bush/Clinton/Perot

1992 Presidential Election

• Candidates Party Pop. Vote % Electoral Vote

• Clinton/Gore Democratic 44,909,806 43.01% 370 68.77% • Bush/Quayle Republican 39,104,550 37.45% 168 31.23% • Perot/Stockdale Independent 19,743,821 18.91% 0 0.00%

Clinton’s First Term

• 1993-1994: (examples) – Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell Policy on Gays in

Military– Efforts to bring women and minorities in high

government positions– Effort to pass National Health Insurance –

failed

Republican Revolution

• 1994 Congressional Elections: Republicans took both houses of Congress

• Incoming Speaker Newt Gingrich promised a Contract with America

• 1995: Confrontations with Clinton over government spending

Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Brown

Murder (June 1994); OJ Simpson

Murder Trial, Jan-October

1995

1994 Congressional Elections: House

PartySeats

Seat percentage

Popular Vote1992 Elected Net Change

Democratic Party 258 204 -54 46.8% 44.0%

Independent 1 1 0 0.2% 0.9%

Republican Party 176 230 +54 52.8% 49.9%

Totals 435 435 +0 100.0% 100.0%

PartySeats

Seat percentage

Popular Vote1992 Elected Net Change

Democratic Party 258 204 -54 46.8% 44.0%

Independent 1 1 0 0.2% 0.9%

Republican Party 176 230 +54 52.8% 49.9%

Totals 435 435 +0 100.0% 100.0%

1994 Congressional Elections, Senate

• 1993-94 – 56 Democrats; 44 Republicans• 1995-96, Initially 52 Republicans to 48

Democrats. Two senators switched parties to give the Republicans a 54-46 majority. A special election returned a seat to the Democrats making the Republican majority 53-47.

Oklahoma City

Bombing, April 1995

Government Shutdowns

• November 14-19, 1995, resulted in the furlough of an estimated 800,000 federal employees.

• December 16, 1995 to January 6, 1996: On January 2, 1996, the estimate of furloughed federal employees was 284,000.

Legislation Passed: Welfare Reform

• 1996: PRWORA: Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunities Reconciliation Act of 1996. Ended the Title of the 1935 Social Security Act that provide “aid to families with dependent children” (AFDC).

1996 Presidential Election: Clinton wins reelection

Packers win Superbowl, Jan. 1997

Lewinsky Affair

• Affair began on November 15, 1995 and lasted until April 7, 1996.

• Came to public attention in January 1998.

Clinton Impeached

• September 1998: Starr Report recommending impeachment proceedings

• December 1998: House Judiciary Committee votes articles of impeachment

• December 1998: House votes articles of impeachment

• January-February 1999: Trial in Senate; Clinton acquitted 55-44 and 50-50 on the two articles.

U.S. Embassy Bombings in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam,

August 1998

Columbine High School Shooting, April 20, 1999

2000 Presidential Election

1988-Bush win 1992-Clinton win

1996-Clinton win2000-Bush win