1996: Bill Clinton vs. George W. Bush

[LBJ Revivalist]

Say if instead of Bob Dole, George W. Bush ran against President Clinton in 1996...Any differences in history?

[CathKhan]

You do know we have an "election what-ifs" section, right?

[CathKhan]

The question in my mind is who he chooses for Vice-President. Given that in 2000 he chose Dick Cheney, I can see him going after a similar type of Vice-President in this 1996. Maybe Howard Baker? former Senate Majority Leader and former Whitehouse Chief of Staff from Tennessee. James Baker woudl also be a good choice, having worked for Reagan and Bush41. Problem is James Baker is from Texas as well. I don't think Powell accepts. IMO Bush would need either an experienced diplomat or experienced legislator as seen by the possibilities above. Heck, maybe even Dole serves as a possible choice thanks to his 36 years in Congress.

[Senator Kalwejt]

Problem is: Bush was Governor for less than two years in November 1996.

[CathKhan]

Problem is: Bush was Governor for less than two years in November 1996.

I know, which, to me, makes his VP pick all the more crucial. Baker would beat out Gor in Tennessee, tie in moderates, give Bush a hell of a lot more experience on the back of the ticket, was pretty much, at least during his time, mr. universally respected.

[Senator Kalwejt]

Problem is: Bush was Governor for less than two years in November 1996.

I know, which, to me, makes his VP pick all the more crucial. Baker would beat out Gor in Tennessee, tie in moderates, give Bush a hell of a lot more experience on the back of the ticket, was pretty much, at least during his time, mr. universally respected.

On the other hand, that would be basically a repeat of Dukakis/Bentsen: a lightweight presidential nominee and highly experienced and regarded vice presidential nominee. Hell, more than repeat, since Dukakis had far more experience and gubernatorial achievements under his best, than Bush in 1996).

[CathKhan]

Problem is: Bush was Governor for less than two years in November 1996.

I know, which, to me, makes his VP pick all the more crucial. Baker would beat out Gor in Tennessee, tie in moderates, give Bush a hell of a lot more experience on the back of the ticket, was pretty much, at least during his time, mr. universally respected.

On the other hand, that would be basically a repeat of Dukakis/Bentsen: a lightweight presidential nominee and highly experienced and regarded vice presidential nominee. Hell, more than repeat, since Dukakis had far more experience and gubernatorial achievements under his best, than Bush in 1996).

What's Dubya's alternative?

[GPORTER]

VP would not be Jim Baker or Bob Dole. I have followed Bush's presidency, read a lot about him, and really admire and like him. After all of that, I could pretty easily say its not Baker or Dole.

Dole is too closley tied to Washington. Bush didn't want to be tied to the republican congress of the 1990s. Jim Baker was too close to GHWB and Bush didn't want that either.

John Danforth, Dick Cheney, Tom Ridge, George Voinovich, or Arlen Specter

[I Am Feeblepizza.]

I see no reason why Dubya wouldn't choose Bob Dole. Yes, Dole was a very boring, establishment-type choice, but he was also good friends with Bush the Elder and could easily alleviate tensions on the part of those who might be turned off by Dubya's lack of experience. Dole could also help win over moderates and maybe even some anti-Clinton liberals.

[CathKhan]

I see no reason why Dubya wouldn't choose Bob Dole. Yes, Dole was a very boring, establishment-type choice, but he was also good friends with Bush the Elder and could easily alleviate tensions on the part of those who might be turned off by Dubya's lack of experience. Dole could also help win over moderates and maybe even some anti-Clinton liberals.

Weren't Bush and Dole rivals? In 1988 they were rivals and Dole had the greatest chance of denying Bush the nomination, and Dole got the 1976 VP nomination over Bush.

[I Am Feeblepizza.]

I see no reason why Dubya wouldn't choose Bob Dole. Yes, Dole was a very boring, establishment-type choice, but he was also good friends with Bush the Elder and could easily alleviate tensions on the part of those who might be turned off by Dubya's lack of experience. Dole could also help win over moderates and maybe even some anti-Clinton liberals.

Weren't Bush and Dole rivals? In 1988 they were rivals and Dole had the greatest chance of denying Bush the nomination, and Dole got the 1976 VP nomination over Bush.

Shortly after the 1992 election, Dole and Bush both spoke at a major Republican event in D.C. They spoke very positively of each other despite their past rivalries, and even brought each other to tears.

[CathKhan]

I see no reason why Dubya wouldn't choose Bob Dole. Yes, Dole was a very boring, establishment-type choice, but he was also good friends with Bush the Elder and could easily alleviate tensions on the part of those who might be turned off by Dubya's lack of experience. Dole could also help win over moderates and maybe even some anti-Clinton liberals.

Weren't Bush and Dole rivals? In 1988 they were rivals and Dole had the greatest chance of denying Bush the nomination, and Dole got the 1976 VP nomination over Bush.

Shortly after the 1992 election, Dole and Bush both spoke at a major Republican event in D.C. They spoke very positively of each other despite their past rivalries, and even brought each other to tears.

I think I remember reading about that in a Rush Limbaugh book.

[I Am Feeblepizza.]

I see no reason why Dubya wouldn't choose Bob Dole. Yes, Dole was a very boring, establishment-type choice, but he was also good friends with Bush the Elder and could easily alleviate tensions on the part of those who might be turned off by Dubya's lack of experience. Dole could also help win over moderates and maybe even some anti-Clinton liberals.

Weren't Bush and Dole rivals? In 1988 they were rivals and Dole had the greatest chance of denying Bush the nomination, and Dole got the 1976 VP nomination over Bush.

Shortly after the 1992 election, Dole and Bush both spoke at a major Republican event in D.C. They spoke very positively of each other despite their past rivalries, and even brought each other to tears.

I think I remember reading about that in a Rush Limbaugh book.

Yeah, that's where I learned of it as well .