Where was Clinton at this point in the polls with Dole in '96?

[fujiyama]

I've heard that Clinton was leading most (if not all) polls right after his state of the union speech. He won handilly...

I also know there probably aren't too many clear parallels, except I think we can say that Bush hatred is probably greater than Clinton hatred was (though the right sure did hate him a lot).

[DaisyUCSB]

1. Definetly not high. But I'm not sure that Dole had wrapped up the nom.

at this point. But Clintons approval wasn't much better than Bush's is now

[Sean Reynolds]

2. I do believe Clinton was losing to Dole at one point.

But toward the end of summer Clinton had built a LARGE gap, which shrunk in the final days.

[NEOBuckeye]

3. Dole never had a real chance.

He was too much of an "old guard" Republican. And he didn't have Darth Cheney to intimidate everyone with The Force.

[scheming daemons]

4. ....Kinda like Kerry...

...Kerry is an "old guard" Democrat who thinks its "his turn".


Kerry is to the Dems in 2004 what Dole was to the GOP in 1996.


The "safe" candidate who has politely waited his turn.


...and like Dole, he'll lose.


Edwards is our only chance.

[newyawker99]

7. Hi NEOBuckeye!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[DemPopulist]

5. Wasn't even close

Clinton was 16 points ahead in February 1996.

Dole lead a couple of polls in early January but was trailing Clinton pretty consistently from fall '95 forward.

[fujiyama]

6. thanks for the link!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

8. Dole was so far behind

that I felt quite safe making a protest vote (against NAFTA and Welfare Reform and general caving in to the Republicans) for Ralph Nader.

[The Magistrate]

9. It Is, Mr. Fujiyama

Most unusual for an incumbent to be trailing by such numbers this early in the election campaign. It is even more unusual for one to come back and win.

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"