1996: clinton/gore vs. george h.w. bush/colin powell

[WalterMitty]

how would former president bush have fared if he ran against clinton in 96 with colin powell has his running mate.

could he have pulled off the 'grover cleveland'?

[Rob]

Clinton would have made the election a referendum of prosperity vs. recession. Powell is overrated, he wouldn't have carried any states for Bush. The map:



Clinton wins 390-148. Not much change, but Colorado and Montana go for Clinton.

[Peter]

I think "Its still the economy, stupid" might well have been churned out one hell of a lot if Bush had run again in 96.

It would have certainly cost him states, especially if Perot was still in the race. I agree with Bob's map except as to Montana and Kentucky.

[True Democrat]

Running again after a fairly large defeat is always a bad idea.  Just look at Perot, people got tired of him.  The same would have happened with Bush.  With Colin Powell, New Hampshire, Maine CD-2, and New Jersey would be a lot closer than the actual resuts.