For the Republican nomination, the main candidates are Stevens (again), Senator Bob Dole of Kansas, Senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming, Senator Pete Wilson of California, and the very young, Senator Dan Quayle of Indiana. With no governors in the race, Republican governors decide early on to support no candidate. Many see the lack of Republican talent as a result of the belief that Gore could not be beaten (he had approvals in the 80s in 1987.
In the Iowa caucus held on February 8th, Dole's win is no surprise, but Quayle, a fellow midwesterner, somehow claims second:
Dole: 31%
Quayle: 18%
Stevens: 16%
Simpson: 14%
Wilson: 14%
Others: 7%
New Hampshire on February 16th is a much closer race, with Wilson doing better than expected:
Dole: 30%
Wilson: 29%
Quayle: 15%
Stevens: 11%
Simpson: 10%
Others: 5%
Isn't Bob Dole supposed to be dead?
