Clinton vs. Gingrich 1996

[MorningInAmerica]

Unlike most, I happen to think Gingrich would perform better against Clinton that Dole. It's easy to forget that Dole only lost by 8 pts (49-41-8%), and was a completely inept campaigner (I mean, c'mon, falling off a barnstorming stage??). Gingrich, as polarizing as he was, is much more charismatic than Dole, and probably, much more willing to draw a stark contrast from Clinton than Dole.

Having said that, I Clinton still wins by healthy margin. The growing '96 economy would still be too much to overcome.

Clinton - 352 (-27)
Gingrich - 186 (+27)

Clinton wins 48-41-9%

[MorningInAmerica]

I can see your point. I just think Newt would have been a much more pugnacious campaigner than Clinton's actual opponent, and that can make a real difference. Newt's favorability would have hurt. Gallup had them at 32/56% in August of 1996, while Dole was at 49/44% according to Gallup. But I think the partisan nature of the campaign would have made at least as many Republicans come home as they did with Dole. The 1996 campaign remains a tiny blip in presidential election history somewhat due to Bob Dole's uninspired, bumbling, lethargic campaign. I definitely don't know for certain what would have happened in the event of a Clinton-Gingrich showdown in 1996. But I'm certain it would have been much more entertaining than the real one.

[MorningInAmerica]

LoL at the bonkers comment. These are nothing more than speculative threads, and as long as you state your prediction and can back it up, I'm completely fine with it. I can even see why you would predict a Clinton landslide on the scale FDR v Landon. I just see a way that it could go differently.