Dole's surge

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Bob Dole's campaign experienced a last-minute surge in 1996, allowing him to reach 40% and deny Clinton the majority, exceeding his polling numbers until late October.

What was the reason of this?

[Mr.Phips]

It was the DNC fundraising scandal that broke about 10 days before the election.  Not only did it keep Clinton from getting 50%, but it also probably kept Democrats from taking back the House that year.  Just look at all of the House races Democrats barely lost(AZ-06, KY-03, NH-01, UT-03, WI-01, WA-02, WA-03, PA-13, PA-21, CT-06, IL-11, NJ-12, ID-01, IL-19, MO-09, AL-03, AL-04, IN-08).  They needed 18 seats to get back the House and won nine.  Just winning half of these really close races would have given them the House.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Since presidential campaigns tend to get closer just before the election, that probably has a lot to do with it.