The GOP didn't want to win or even compete in 1996. It was better for business if they loss. Hence why good candidates like Pete Wilson, Lamar Alexander, etc, were ignored and at least somewhat competitive candidates like Buchanan (his best shot would have been in 1992 if he could have taken out Bush) we're totally maligned. It is well documented that Alan Keyes ran as a stalking horse to take down Buchanan in the primaries to make sure he didn't threaten Dole.
Nonsense . after the breathtaking wave in 94 most people reasonably thought Clinton was a dead duck. By the time it became apparent he was going to be re-elected the GOP primaries were already in full swing. Most Republicans didn't write Dole off until sometime in early-mid 96 when he was already the presumptive nominee.
