Things Ain't So Bad!
August 7th, 1992: Unemployment falls to 7.2%Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a decline of 0.6% in the unemployment rate, bringing the national rate to 7.2%. President Bush touted the report, claiming it proved that his policies were working. Democratic opponent Bill Clinton responded by calling it a "fluke summer jobs report".
"Am I glad the unemployment rate is down? Of course I am, but I am not going to say that this is some kind of recovery. We are in summer. That alone brings more jobs into the market. We have to wait and see before we start acclaiming recovery." - Bill ClintonAugust 14th, 1992:President Bush was in Michigan today, campaigning about the recent decline in unemployment in last Friday's reports.
August 19th: He's back!Ross Perot has rejoined the presidential race, citing disappointment of both Bill Clinton and President Bush. After a dropping out in July, Perot returns after reaching a deal with former campaign staffers Ed Rollins and Hal Riney.
August 23rd, 1992: Tragedy at Ruby RidgeFed siege against secluded family leads to three deaths; protests across the nation.
August 31st, 1992:All three candidates were out on the campaign trail today. President Bush was in Virginia, accusing Governor Clinton of draft dodging the Vietnam War. Clinton responded by calling Bush a liar, saying that Bush was using cruel personal attacks to draw attention from the weak economy. Meanwhile, the revitalized Perot campaign stopped in California, calling for an honest discussion on gun control. Perot has been an advocate for stricter gun laws.
September 4th, 1992: Perot announces new VPRoss Perot, insurgent independent candidate for president, has announced he is dropping James Stockdale from the ticket, and replacing him with Boston University President John Silber. Silber ran against Massachusetts Governor William Weld in 1990 as a Democrat, losing by three percentage points against the Republican.
September 7th, 1992: Unemployment in August fall to 7.0%Unemployment fell for the second month in a row, declining to 7.0%. President Bush touted the report in Cleveland, Ohio today.
"We are on the road to recovery. There is no doubt about it now. Governor Clinton and Mr. Perot may tell you this is just a fluke, but it isn't. Governor Clinton's liberal style economics don't work. Ross Perot's protectionist policies don't work. Haven't we learned from Jimmy Carter? If elected, I will continue the conservative policies that keep the economy of this great nation strong." - President BushSeptember 16th, 1992: Attempted assasination against Ross Perot, Bush/Clinton postpone campaignsAs Ross Perot was giving a speech in Montana earlier today, a young man approached the stage and fired a shot at Perot's direction. The bullet missed Perot, but hit a secret service agent in the shoulder. We can confirm that the agent is in stable condition, and should leave the Billings hospital by next week. The identified assassin is young Timothy McVeigh, a Gulf War veteran who apparently attacked Perot due to Perot's stance on gun control. McVeigh is in custody in a Billings jail. In response to the attempted assassination, President Bush and Governor Clinton have postponed their campaigns for the time being.
September 20th, 1992: Election back in swingThe 1992 Presidential election is back in swing after Ross Perot returned to Billings in front of a fired up crowd. He thanked President Bush and Governor Clinton for their respect, but called for the nation to return to normalcy after the attempted assassination.
October 7th, 1992: Unemployment at 6.8%; Clinton character issues persistUnemployment fell again to 6.8% in September. Though President Bush has a lot to be happy about, this is still a number that is usually tough for an incumbet president.
November 3rd, 1992: Bush wins!George H.W. Bush (R-TX) / Dan Quayle (R-IN) - 286 EV (38% PV)
Ross Perot (I-TX) / John Silber (I-MA) - 139 EV (33% PV)
Bill Clinton (D-AR) / Al Gore (D-TN) - 113 EV (29% PV)