Perot Stays In: The Altered Result of the 1992 Election and Beyond

[renegadedemocrat]

Before I begin the timeline, just a few things I'm throwing out there. I'm currently a high school junior who holds a dedication and interest in US History and Political Science, and hope to get some form of degree in either one. This is my first stab at an Altered History timeline, and it will be flawed, and at times strange. Let me know what you guys think after each post!


July 18th, 1992: Perot decides to stay in race after Governor Clinton's Acceptance Speech

After long debating with his campaign staff and himself, Independent businessman Ross Perot opts to stay in race after watching Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton give his Democratic Primary acceptance speech. Perot noted to his campaign staff that he was "confused" and "upset" that somebody of Clinton's character and policies was on the verge of leading the country. Perot made his announcement to a small crowd outside of his Texas home, declaring that he wanted "balanced freedom and prosperity" in America.

July 22nd, 1992: Perot jumps in polls after decision to stay in race

Recent opinion polls suggest Ross Perot really just needed to fake out the country. After distractions surrounding his campaign, including the planned disruptions of his daughter's wedding, Perot leaps to 22% in opinion polls, trailing President Bush at 40%, and Governor Clinton at 48%.

July 23rd, 1992: Perot's Campaign staff announces Perot has national ballot access.

After tedious nationwide petitioning, Independent businessman Ross Perot announces he has been granted ballot access in all 50 states with the addition of the District of Columbia. A spokesman from Governor Clinton's campaign staff comments on the news, saying, "Once the impact of Perot being fully in the race is gone, which will be within a few weeks, I have confidence that Governor Clinton will retain a safe lead in this race."

[Spamage]

Looks Good!

[Jerseyrules]

Looks Good!

[Jayhawker]

Cool! Looking forward to this.

[ChairmanSanchez]

Go Perot

[Mister Mets]

This will be interesting.

[MorningInAmerica]

Interesting concept. Perot was tied with Bush for 1st according to Gallup at the beginning of July, and even led by a fair margin one month earlier (early June):
http://www.gallup.com/poll/110548/Gallup-Presidential-Election-TrialHeat-Trends-19362004.aspx#2

Late June/Early July 1992 Gallup poll:
Bush: 33%
Perot: 33%
Clinton: 27%

Early June 1992 Gallup Poll:
Perot: 39%
Bush: 31%
Clinton: 25%

Looking forward to your interpretation on how the lack of this strategic blunder would have effected the race.

[renegadedemocrat]

July 26, 1992: Perot holds large campaign rally in San Antonio, addresses minorities.

While it has been an interesting past regarding minorities for businessman Ross Perot, he erased whatever negative positions he had held, by addressing a 15,000+ crowd in San Antonio, announcing his fairly socially progressive stance. The rally is well received by his own supporters, and political commentators noted that Perot is actively keeping Governor Clinton and President Bush "in check."

July 30, 1992: New California and Texas polls have Perot leading the race.

After a very rough few weeks for Perot, he has very quickly gotten back into his late spring-early summer groove. After his captivating campaign rally in San Antonio, and his intentions to socially move America forward, recent polls suggest that Perot is the leader in the two most vital states of the election: California and Texas. Results:

California:
Perot: 37%
Clinton: 35%
Bush: 28%

Texas:
Perot: 36%
Bush: 35%
Clinton: 29%

August 1, 1992: Perot formally announces James Stockdale as running mate.

As expected from earlier in the campaign, Ross Perot announces former Navy hero, James Stockdale, as his running mate. The two share very similar views, and both strive to shift the country toward true economic prosperity. While the move seemed quite bland, a spokesman for Governor Clinton's campaign staff commented on the event, calling it "exaggerated" and "unnecessary", in regards to the press coverage of the event.

[Spamage]

Go Perot

[Dr. Cynic]

Is there only the one butterfly that changes everything in this TL? I'm asking because with hindsight being what it is, would Perot, having not lost plenty of potential running mates with his erratic behavior in dropping out, why would he have chosen Stockdale, who proved to be a liability for him?

[renegadedemocrat]

No, there's a lot more than one butterfly in the TL. There's a lot of things along the way to this election and beyond it. The choice of Stockdale is implying that he still supported Perot at that time, while many other potentials abandoned him when he was debating dropping out.