Note - This will be my first Alternate History scenario and will focus on if Perot never dropped out of the 1992 Election and went on to win it
'A Painful Hedge'
Since the beginning of his campaign in May, Ross Perot had been a pain in the back for both major political party's. He was taking from both sides and throughout May and June. He was leading in states like California and Texas and had a great shot at the presidency. He was seen on a Populist campaign running on both Democratic and Republican Ideals. According to exit polls in the California Democratic and Republican Primarys, 42% of Republicans and 33% of Democrats said they would support
Perot. This really scared both campaigns and they began to attack him as a 'Temperamental Tycoon' and 'Not a Real Candidate' and 'Not Fit'. However he still lead in the polls. He finally stopped this lead after the Democratic convention when he saw a Fit Democratic Party able to beat back the Republicans. He dropped out and left his lead to Clinton who would see the biggest convention bounce ever in history. He would re-enter the race in October however he would never lead the race again and ended up with 18% of the vote and winning no states coming close in states like Utah and Maine. So what if he never jumped out?
'God Damn that Perot'
Perot had been a special figure. He had begun one of the most successful presidential campaign for a Independent Party since 1968 and George Wallace. And was leading steadily throughout the spring. He had started his campaign because he thought the two party's didn't have the right ideas and solutions. He thought that they were both part of a larger problems; Washington Corruption. He began and quick and epic climb to the top of the polls and on June 15, 1992 Times Magazine posted a poll.
Perot - 37%
Clinton - 24%
George HW Bush - 24%
It showed him leading decisively with Bush and Clinton coming a huge 13% behind him. The other campaigns began to worry and Vice President Dan Quayle called Perot a 'Temperamental Tycoon' and 'Contempt for the Constitution'. He however still lead and head numerous rally's gaining thousands throughout the summer. Meanwhile on the Republican and Democratic Sides, Bill Clinton and George bush were able to be declared Presumptive Nominees and headed off to there conventions. However there was speculation that Perot would hold his own convention. That was proving right when he decided he was to host his own convention independent of the others. It would be on August 26th, 1992 in Denver and to many's surprise hosted a wide range of famous political and just regularly famous speakers. At this time
occurred the Democratic Convention. Bill Clinton and Al Gore gave there acceptance speeches and received a modest Convention bounce of 5% and lead Perot 35% to Perots 31%. Meanwhile increasing behind George Bush was at 27%. This bounce was largely due to the fact that a Investigation into Perots past actions. It had been revealed that in the 1980s Perot had lead a Private Investigation into the Bush Family. In OTL this is what brought Perot to drop out but in ATL this is simply brushed out by Perot as Republican Propaganda and Simply to distract people from the issues. It is successful in ATL and he only loses 5% to Clinton and stays in second place.
August rolled around and both the Republican National Convention and Perots Convention happened. In Houston on the 20th both Bush and Quayle were re-elected for the Nomination of the Republican Party. He only faced slight opposition by Buchanan. However Perot stole the Month again with his Convention 6 days later. A wide array of Celebrity's showed up from conservative extraordinary William Buckley to up and coming Actor Tom Cruise to Former President Richard Nixon who was Disillusioned with Bush's lack to of Appeal and saw Perot as a 'Special kind of Politician'. Perots speech was the highest rated of his convention and set the hall alive in blaze on the fact that so far they were the closet so far in defeating the two party system. A section of his Speech
'Coming this November America will face a difficult choice. Will it choice the choice of the status quo and pick one of the two heads of the same problem, or will it choice a changer who can change the system. A changer who can stand up to the big interest and bring both democrats and republicans together and end the partisan deadlock we see in Washington today. A changer who can give back the Government of the People, by the People, and For the people. A changer who can give people hope again and can end the disillusionment that only Democrats and Republicans can win. A changer that can fix the economy and establish trade deals that benefit the American People not the Company's. A changer who can both establish America as Dominant and not to be the Worlds Policemen. And America... I hope i can be that changer...
-Ross Perot, 1992 Convention Excerpt
His speech brought loud aplaus to the arena. His convention crushed the Republican convention in views and ratings gaining millions more viewers with the only speech at the Republican convention outmatching Perots Convention in watchers was former President Ronald Reagan's one. Perot got a good bump from it and was leading Clinton by one and Bush by 5. With the convention all cleared it was clear this would be a tough 3 months to Election Day
The Debates
The debates were agreed to be rather early. There were to be two regular debates and one Town hall debate. The first would be held on September 15th, the Second on the 20th and the Town-hall on September 31st. All candidates agreed to this and the townhall was added and suggested by the Clinton campaign since it was his strong point. Meanwhile Gallup released a new 50 state poll to reveal the state of the race:
National -
Perot - 35%
Clinton - 35%
Bush - 28%
Other/Third Party - 2%
State Polls
Alabama -
Bush - 45%
Clinton - 40%
Perot - 13%
Alaska -
Bush - 34%
Perot - 33%
Clinton - 30%
Arizona -
Clinton - 32%
Perot - 31%
Bush - 30%
Arkansas
Clinton - 63%
Bush - 30%
Perot - 6%
California
Perot - 34%
Clinton - 32%
Bush - 27%
Colorado
Perot - 41%
Clinton - 35%
Bush - 22%
Connecticut
Clinton - 42%
Perot - 34%
Bush - 24%
Delaware
Perot - 39%
Clinton - 36%
Bush - 26%
Florida
Bush - 35%
Clinton - 35%
Perot - 29%
Georgia
Bush - 40%
Clinton - 38%
Perot - 20%
Hawaii
Clinton - 51%
Perot - 20%
Bush - 17%
Idaho
Perot - 49%
Bush - 31%
Clinton - 20%
Illinois
Clinton - 38%
Perot - 34%
Bush - 26%
Indiana
Perot - 35%
Clinton - 34%
Bush - 31%
Iowa
Clinton - 36%
Perot - 32%
Bush - 31%
Kansas
Perot - 50%
Bush - 30%
Clinton - 20%
Kentucky
Clinton - 44%
Bush - 40%
Perot - 14%
Louisiana
Clinton - 46%
Bush - 40%
Perot - 11%
Maine
Perot - 55%
Clinton - 30%
Bush - 13%
Maryland
Clinton - 51%
Bush - 31%
Perot - 15%
Massachusetts
Clinton - 45%
Perot - 29%
Bush - 20%
Michigan
Perot - 39%
Clinton - 39%
Bush - 21%
Minnesota
Perot - 36%
Clinton 35%
Bush - 28%
Mississippi
Bush - 49%
Clinton - 45%
Perot - 5%
Missouri
Perot - 33%
Clinton - 31%
Bush - 30%
Montana
Perot - 52%
Bush - 23%
Clinton - 23%
Nebraska
Perot - 41%
Bush - 41%
Clinton - 22%
Nevada
Perot - 40%
Bush - 33%
Clinton - 26%
New Hampshire
Perot - 34%
Bush - 32%
Clinton - 32%
New Jersey
Bush - 43%
Clinton - 43%
Perot - 12%
New Mexico
Bush - 44%
Clinton - 41%
Perot - 12%
New York
Clinton - 48%
Bush - 40%
Perot - 12%
North Carolina
Clinton - 42%
Bush - 42%
Perot - 16%
North Dakota
Perot - 50%
Bush - 31%
Clinton - 10%
Ohio
Bush - 40%
Clinton - 39%
Perot - 20%
Oklahoma
Bush - 43%
Perot - 33%
Clinton - 19%
Oregon
Perot - 36%
Clinton - 34%
Bush - 28%
Pennsylvania
Clinton - 47%
Bush - 33%
Perot - 20%
Rhode Island
Perot - 29%
Clinton - 29%
Bush - 28%
South Carolina
Bush - 49%
Clinton - 34%
Perot - 15%
South Dakota
Clinton - 39%
Perot - 37%
Bush - 24%
Tennessee
Clinton - 50%
Bush - 40%
Perot - 10%
Texas
Bush - 32%
Perot - 30%
Clinton - 30%
Utah
Perot - 38%
Bush - 35%
Clinton - 20%
Vermont
Perot - 37%
Clinton - 37%
Bush - 32%
Virginia
Bush - 43%
Clinton - 39%
Perot - 16%
Washington -
Clinton - 41%
Perot - 38%
Bush - 20%
West Virginia
Clinton - 46%
Perot - 33%
Bush - 21%
Wisconsin
Perot - 31%
Bush - 30%
Clinton - 30%
Wyoming
Perot - 35%
Bush - 35%
Clinton - 27%
The fifty state poll resulted in this:
(Gray states are tied)
The poll showed the Race was in a dead heat right before the debates. None of the candidates reached the necessary 270 to win and it was becoming clearer and clearer that it was unlikely that any candidate would reach 270. The map showed Perot dominating in the West and North, Clinton in the Northeast and Upper South, and Bush in the deep south and parts of the Midwest.
The first debate occurred on the 15th. It was largely on the Economy and Domestic Issues. Perot was said to be dominant here. He called for a end to Unfair trade deals which he said Clinton Championed and so called 'Voo-doo' Trickle down economics which he said Bush championed. The debate was fierce and one to go down in the history books. In one heated exchange:
Bush - Perot doesn't know a thing about the economy and thinks a simple wave at the wand will fix everything. It is much more complex then that and i fear he doesn't realize that.
Perot - Well George, I think i know a little about economics when my businesses have suffered the burden of the Tax increases you signed into law.
Perot was well spoken yet unscripted. He was able to show himself as a middle option. Meanwhile Bush seemed a little too defensive but a little two quiet on some issues. Meanwhile Perot and Clinton battled it to the end. On the Topic of Healthcare, Perot said he supported Socialized Medicine (Universal Healthcare). This was different from what he said before in which he said he want to expand medicare but not to a universal level. Clinton then accused him of being a flip-flopper. But Perot followed back saying ' I guess a Flip-Flop to you is when someone cares that thousands die in the street every year because they cant afforded basic medicines'. He was able to come to the left of Clinton and get him here. He was able to get a lot of liberal voters from that statement. At the End of the Debate. Most polls showed Perot with a Clear victory. One from ABC showed him with a commanding lead
Who do you think Last nights debate?
Perot - 52%
Clinton - 36%
Bush - 10%
Tie - 2%
The Next debate was on the 20th. It mainly focused on Foreign policy; a Field Perot wasnt very good at. The first part of the debate was on the role America should play in the Post-Soviet World. Bush called for more friendlier ties to the former Soviet Country's but also keep a strong Military Presence throughout the world and defend Democracy at any step. Clinton wasn't much different however he refused for America to be a So called 'Police Man of the World'. Perot said he wanted to protect people from genocide as the only excuse to be involved in other country's and he wanted America to be accountable by the International Community. He also wanted the new Russian Federation as a Ally. He was called a Isolationist by Bush in which Perot responded 'I know in your world you want our young boys to go die in every foreign war in the world in the name of Democracy. If not wanting that is Isolationism then so be it'. Clinton meanwhile maintained a Peace through Strength policy, the same as Ronald Reagan. He was able to pull a quick win according to most polls after the debate after however it was very narrow with most polls surprising putting Perot right behind Clinton with Bush in far last.
The Final Debate was on the 31st. This town hall format was one in which Clinton dominated. The debate was uneventful only talking about things they already talked about. It was notable however when a viewer asked what to do with the ever increasing National Debt. It was to Clinton and he First said it wasnt to start a National Healthcare System which he said was too much for the Economy. He then said that America should stop spending so much and instead of using our taxes for 'Big Business', to use it for the Citizens. Perot responded that he thought the whole Democratic Platform was for Universal Healthcare in which Clinton said he doubt Perot knew what the Democratic Party is. Perot responded saying So saving people on the street from there deaths is radical too you. Go tell that to the massive Military which we have which is radical in its own right. If we can afford that we can afford basic medicines. Perot came out on top in the final debate polls. He was able to defeat Clinton by 5 points on average in the ABC polls; 45% to 40% with Bush in 10%. All three debates on average were a draw as Perot was only able to get on decisive win but coming close in the other two. Clinton would win the second small and come close in the third. Perhaps the most changed candidate was George bush in his miserable debate performances with him never to get over 30%. His campaign became a third wheel as a Perot V Clinton was becoming in the Final Days
The Final Months
The After Debate Polls showed the Race way different from the pre one. Bush was reduced to the deep south. Clinton lost some swing states and ground to Bush and Perot but gains NC from Bush. In the overall picture, Perot lead by 18 EV nationally. Proving the Race would be close.
October would be a brutal month. Clinton and Perot went after it and went on a dirty campaign. They used this time to try to capture some of Bush's Crumbling support. Perot tryed also to take the Liberal vote with him saying he was More liberal then Clinton on Health Care. He was able to woo some however Clinton reminded people of Perot's other more conservative positions. However the west was seemingly lost to
Clinton. A October Surprise came in came from the Clinton campaign in which it was revealed that Clinton had sexual relations with several mistresses down in Arkansas. This was downplayed by Clinton and many thought it was useless and the Election should still be on the Issues. Perot denied he had any involvement in this leaking however it lead to many TV attack ads in which it was said he directed it personally. He said that want away from Clinton's own position and still denied it. Even though the leaking was relatively useless to many voters however it swayed some more conservative Christians away from him in the south. This could be detrimental to states like Tennessee however Perot said it shouldn't and they should instead look at Perot's policy's and decide from there. Nevertheless that went into election night on November 3rd.
Election Night
Polls had been tight since the scandal and the Election was expected to go on all night and into the morning as it was expected it was go to the House. With the house being Republican, Clinton would have to win outright or he would basically have no shot. Perot also worried that no one would win a majority so it would go to the house. He didn't have any friends in the house and he made a lot of enemy's there and he wasn't expected to win there either. It was however Bush's best hope with him being far behind in the polls. He had alot of friends in the House and was expected to Win there if it went to the house. This worry occurred as Americans voted on November 3rd.
Final Results
Ross Perot (I), 39.91% and 274 EV
Bill Clinton (D), 35.43% and 218 EV
George H.W. Bush (R), 24.10% and 46 EV
The Election was indeed a nail bitter. However it became apparent that it may not end in a House decision after all. He was able to win all of the Major Swing States and then some. After weeks of recounts in New York, he was able to win the state by 307 votes over Clinton putting him just over the edge. He had won the Election. From a broader picture it was spectacular. He was able to come out of nowhere and was able to win a election against much more known names like the current President George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton and was able to build a coalition which United states like California, Texas, and New York which in a regular election would never all vote the same. It wasn't until December 21st until Bill Clinton dropped out due to the New York recount and him seeing a chance in known reaching 270. He called Perot around 5 PM to concede. It is said Perot Responded ' About Time'. Meanwhile Bush conceded to Perot as soon as the Texas Electoral Votes were confirmed for Perot in Early November 4th. Exit Polls showed how exactly he won which shock was still shacking in the minds of the Washington and New York Elites. The Polls showed that Among Whites as a whole Perot was able to win there 40% to Clinton's 35% and to Bush's 25%. Among the White working class Perot however narrowly lost that to Clinton in 41% to Clinton's 42%. Among blacks Perot Gained 26% to Clinton's 68% to Bush's 6%. This was huge for a candidate and especially Perot who was on the more right side of things. However his big black vote was attributed to the fact that he was the Only one in the field to propose Universal Healthcare. Among Hispanics, Clinton lead 51% to Perot's 44% while Perot took Asians in 55% to Clinton's 40%. Meanwhile Among Regions; Perot dominated the west taking 54% of the Western Vote. In the southern vote Clinton took 52% to Bush's 40% to Perot's 8%. In the Midwest Perot narrowly beat out Clinton 49% to 47% and in the Northeast Clinton won there 48% to Perot's 44%. However only winning 39% of the National Populous was not seen since the Days of Abraham Lincoln and Ross Perot would face difficult changes being the first independent Politician since the founding of the Country in the Presidency.
'A Painful Hedge'
Since the beginning of his campaign in May, Ross Perot had been a pain in the back for both major political party's. He was taking from both sides and throughout May and June. He was leading in states like California and Texas and had a great shot at the presidency. He was seen on a Populist campaign running on both Democratic and Republican Ideals. According to exit polls in the California Democratic and Republican Primarys, 42% of Republicans and 33% of Democrats said they would support
Perot. This really scared both campaigns and they began to attack him as a 'Temperamental Tycoon' and 'Not a Real Candidate' and 'Not Fit'. However he still lead in the polls. He finally stopped this lead after the Democratic convention when he saw a Fit Democratic Party able to beat back the Republicans. He dropped out and left his lead to Clinton who would see the biggest convention bounce ever in history. He would re-enter the race in October however he would never lead the race again and ended up with 18% of the vote and winning no states coming close in states like Utah and Maine. So what if he never jumped out?
'God Damn that Perot'
Perot had been a special figure. He had begun one of the most successful presidential campaign for a Independent Party since 1968 and George Wallace. And was leading steadily throughout the spring. He had started his campaign because he thought the two party's didn't have the right ideas and solutions. He thought that they were both part of a larger problems; Washington Corruption. He began and quick and epic climb to the top of the polls and on June 15, 1992 Times Magazine posted a poll.
Perot - 37%
Clinton - 24%
George HW Bush - 24%
It showed him leading decisively with Bush and Clinton coming a huge 13% behind him. The other campaigns began to worry and Vice President Dan Quayle called Perot a 'Temperamental Tycoon' and 'Contempt for the Constitution'. He however still lead and head numerous rally's gaining thousands throughout the summer. Meanwhile on the Republican and Democratic Sides, Bill Clinton and George bush were able to be declared Presumptive Nominees and headed off to there conventions. However there was speculation that Perot would hold his own convention. That was proving right when he decided he was to host his own convention independent of the others. It would be on August 26th, 1992 in Denver and to many's surprise hosted a wide range of famous political and just regularly famous speakers. At this time
occurred the Democratic Convention. Bill Clinton and Al Gore gave there acceptance speeches and received a modest Convention bounce of 5% and lead Perot 35% to Perots 31%. Meanwhile increasing behind George Bush was at 27%. This bounce was largely due to the fact that a Investigation into Perots past actions. It had been revealed that in the 1980s Perot had lead a Private Investigation into the Bush Family. In OTL this is what brought Perot to drop out but in ATL this is simply brushed out by Perot as Republican Propaganda and Simply to distract people from the issues. It is successful in ATL and he only loses 5% to Clinton and stays in second place.
August rolled around and both the Republican National Convention and Perots Convention happened. In Houston on the 20th both Bush and Quayle were re-elected for the Nomination of the Republican Party. He only faced slight opposition by Buchanan. However Perot stole the Month again with his Convention 6 days later. A wide array of Celebrity's showed up from conservative extraordinary William Buckley to up and coming Actor Tom Cruise to Former President Richard Nixon who was Disillusioned with Bush's lack to of Appeal and saw Perot as a 'Special kind of Politician'. Perots speech was the highest rated of his convention and set the hall alive in blaze on the fact that so far they were the closet so far in defeating the two party system. A section of his Speech
'Coming this November America will face a difficult choice. Will it choice the choice of the status quo and pick one of the two heads of the same problem, or will it choice a changer who can change the system. A changer who can stand up to the big interest and bring both democrats and republicans together and end the partisan deadlock we see in Washington today. A changer who can give back the Government of the People, by the People, and For the people. A changer who can give people hope again and can end the disillusionment that only Democrats and Republicans can win. A changer that can fix the economy and establish trade deals that benefit the American People not the Company's. A changer who can both establish America as Dominant and not to be the Worlds Policemen. And America... I hope i can be that changer...
-Ross Perot, 1992 Convention Excerpt
His speech brought loud aplaus to the arena. His convention crushed the Republican convention in views and ratings gaining millions more viewers with the only speech at the Republican convention outmatching Perots Convention in watchers was former President Ronald Reagan's one. Perot got a good bump from it and was leading Clinton by one and Bush by 5. With the convention all cleared it was clear this would be a tough 3 months to Election Day
The Debates
The debates were agreed to be rather early. There were to be two regular debates and one Town hall debate. The first would be held on September 15th, the Second on the 20th and the Town-hall on September 31st. All candidates agreed to this and the townhall was added and suggested by the Clinton campaign since it was his strong point. Meanwhile Gallup released a new 50 state poll to reveal the state of the race:
National -
Perot - 35%
Clinton - 35%
Bush - 28%
Other/Third Party - 2%
State Polls
Alabama -
Bush - 45%
Clinton - 40%
Perot - 13%
Alaska -
Bush - 34%
Perot - 33%
Clinton - 30%
Arizona -
Clinton - 32%
Perot - 31%
Bush - 30%
Arkansas
Clinton - 63%
Bush - 30%
Perot - 6%
California
Perot - 34%
Clinton - 32%
Bush - 27%
Colorado
Perot - 41%
Clinton - 35%
Bush - 22%
Connecticut
Clinton - 42%
Perot - 34%
Bush - 24%
Delaware
Perot - 39%
Clinton - 36%
Bush - 26%
Florida
Bush - 35%
Clinton - 35%
Perot - 29%
Georgia
Bush - 40%
Clinton - 38%
Perot - 20%
Hawaii
Clinton - 51%
Perot - 20%
Bush - 17%
Idaho
Perot - 49%
Bush - 31%
Clinton - 20%
Illinois
Clinton - 38%
Perot - 34%
Bush - 26%
Indiana
Perot - 35%
Clinton - 34%
Bush - 31%
Iowa
Clinton - 36%
Perot - 32%
Bush - 31%
Kansas
Perot - 50%
Bush - 30%
Clinton - 20%
Kentucky
Clinton - 44%
Bush - 40%
Perot - 14%
Louisiana
Clinton - 46%
Bush - 40%
Perot - 11%
Maine
Perot - 55%
Clinton - 30%
Bush - 13%
Maryland
Clinton - 51%
Bush - 31%
Perot - 15%
Massachusetts
Clinton - 45%
Perot - 29%
Bush - 20%
Michigan
Perot - 39%
Clinton - 39%
Bush - 21%
Minnesota
Perot - 36%
Clinton 35%
Bush - 28%
Mississippi
Bush - 49%
Clinton - 45%
Perot - 5%
Missouri
Perot - 33%
Clinton - 31%
Bush - 30%
Montana
Perot - 52%
Bush - 23%
Clinton - 23%
Nebraska
Perot - 41%
Bush - 41%
Clinton - 22%
Nevada
Perot - 40%
Bush - 33%
Clinton - 26%
New Hampshire
Perot - 34%
Bush - 32%
Clinton - 32%
New Jersey
Bush - 43%
Clinton - 43%
Perot - 12%
New Mexico
Bush - 44%
Clinton - 41%
Perot - 12%
New York
Clinton - 48%
Bush - 40%
Perot - 12%
North Carolina
Clinton - 42%
Bush - 42%
Perot - 16%
North Dakota
Perot - 50%
Bush - 31%
Clinton - 10%
Ohio
Bush - 40%
Clinton - 39%
Perot - 20%
Oklahoma
Bush - 43%
Perot - 33%
Clinton - 19%
Oregon
Perot - 36%
Clinton - 34%
Bush - 28%
Pennsylvania
Clinton - 47%
Bush - 33%
Perot - 20%
Rhode Island
Perot - 29%
Clinton - 29%
Bush - 28%
South Carolina
Bush - 49%
Clinton - 34%
Perot - 15%
South Dakota
Clinton - 39%
Perot - 37%
Bush - 24%
Tennessee
Clinton - 50%
Bush - 40%
Perot - 10%
Texas
Bush - 32%
Perot - 30%
Clinton - 30%
Utah
Perot - 38%
Bush - 35%
Clinton - 20%
Vermont
Perot - 37%
Clinton - 37%
Bush - 32%
Virginia
Bush - 43%
Clinton - 39%
Perot - 16%
Washington -
Clinton - 41%
Perot - 38%
Bush - 20%
West Virginia
Clinton - 46%
Perot - 33%
Bush - 21%
Wisconsin
Perot - 31%
Bush - 30%
Clinton - 30%
Wyoming
Perot - 35%
Bush - 35%
Clinton - 27%
The fifty state poll resulted in this:
(Gray states are tied)
The poll showed the Race was in a dead heat right before the debates. None of the candidates reached the necessary 270 to win and it was becoming clearer and clearer that it was unlikely that any candidate would reach 270. The map showed Perot dominating in the West and North, Clinton in the Northeast and Upper South, and Bush in the deep south and parts of the Midwest.
The first debate occurred on the 15th. It was largely on the Economy and Domestic Issues. Perot was said to be dominant here. He called for a end to Unfair trade deals which he said Clinton Championed and so called 'Voo-doo' Trickle down economics which he said Bush championed. The debate was fierce and one to go down in the history books. In one heated exchange:
Bush - Perot doesn't know a thing about the economy and thinks a simple wave at the wand will fix everything. It is much more complex then that and i fear he doesn't realize that.
Perot - Well George, I think i know a little about economics when my businesses have suffered the burden of the Tax increases you signed into law.
Perot was well spoken yet unscripted. He was able to show himself as a middle option. Meanwhile Bush seemed a little too defensive but a little two quiet on some issues. Meanwhile Perot and Clinton battled it to the end. On the Topic of Healthcare, Perot said he supported Socialized Medicine (Universal Healthcare). This was different from what he said before in which he said he want to expand medicare but not to a universal level. Clinton then accused him of being a flip-flopper. But Perot followed back saying ' I guess a Flip-Flop to you is when someone cares that thousands die in the street every year because they cant afforded basic medicines'. He was able to come to the left of Clinton and get him here. He was able to get a lot of liberal voters from that statement. At the End of the Debate. Most polls showed Perot with a Clear victory. One from ABC showed him with a commanding lead
Who do you think Last nights debate?
Perot - 52%
Clinton - 36%
Bush - 10%
Tie - 2%
The Next debate was on the 20th. It mainly focused on Foreign policy; a Field Perot wasnt very good at. The first part of the debate was on the role America should play in the Post-Soviet World. Bush called for more friendlier ties to the former Soviet Country's but also keep a strong Military Presence throughout the world and defend Democracy at any step. Clinton wasn't much different however he refused for America to be a So called 'Police Man of the World'. Perot said he wanted to protect people from genocide as the only excuse to be involved in other country's and he wanted America to be accountable by the International Community. He also wanted the new Russian Federation as a Ally. He was called a Isolationist by Bush in which Perot responded 'I know in your world you want our young boys to go die in every foreign war in the world in the name of Democracy. If not wanting that is Isolationism then so be it'. Clinton meanwhile maintained a Peace through Strength policy, the same as Ronald Reagan. He was able to pull a quick win according to most polls after the debate after however it was very narrow with most polls surprising putting Perot right behind Clinton with Bush in far last.
The Final Debate was on the 31st. This town hall format was one in which Clinton dominated. The debate was uneventful only talking about things they already talked about. It was notable however when a viewer asked what to do with the ever increasing National Debt. It was to Clinton and he First said it wasnt to start a National Healthcare System which he said was too much for the Economy. He then said that America should stop spending so much and instead of using our taxes for 'Big Business', to use it for the Citizens. Perot responded that he thought the whole Democratic Platform was for Universal Healthcare in which Clinton said he doubt Perot knew what the Democratic Party is. Perot responded saying So saving people on the street from there deaths is radical too you. Go tell that to the massive Military which we have which is radical in its own right. If we can afford that we can afford basic medicines. Perot came out on top in the final debate polls. He was able to defeat Clinton by 5 points on average in the ABC polls; 45% to 40% with Bush in 10%. All three debates on average were a draw as Perot was only able to get on decisive win but coming close in the other two. Clinton would win the second small and come close in the third. Perhaps the most changed candidate was George bush in his miserable debate performances with him never to get over 30%. His campaign became a third wheel as a Perot V Clinton was becoming in the Final Days
The Final Months
The After Debate Polls showed the Race way different from the pre one. Bush was reduced to the deep south. Clinton lost some swing states and ground to Bush and Perot but gains NC from Bush. In the overall picture, Perot lead by 18 EV nationally. Proving the Race would be close.
October would be a brutal month. Clinton and Perot went after it and went on a dirty campaign. They used this time to try to capture some of Bush's Crumbling support. Perot tryed also to take the Liberal vote with him saying he was More liberal then Clinton on Health Care. He was able to woo some however Clinton reminded people of Perot's other more conservative positions. However the west was seemingly lost to
Clinton. A October Surprise came in came from the Clinton campaign in which it was revealed that Clinton had sexual relations with several mistresses down in Arkansas. This was downplayed by Clinton and many thought it was useless and the Election should still be on the Issues. Perot denied he had any involvement in this leaking however it lead to many TV attack ads in which it was said he directed it personally. He said that want away from Clinton's own position and still denied it. Even though the leaking was relatively useless to many voters however it swayed some more conservative Christians away from him in the south. This could be detrimental to states like Tennessee however Perot said it shouldn't and they should instead look at Perot's policy's and decide from there. Nevertheless that went into election night on November 3rd.
Election Night
Polls had been tight since the scandal and the Election was expected to go on all night and into the morning as it was expected it was go to the House. With the house being Republican, Clinton would have to win outright or he would basically have no shot. Perot also worried that no one would win a majority so it would go to the house. He didn't have any friends in the house and he made a lot of enemy's there and he wasn't expected to win there either. It was however Bush's best hope with him being far behind in the polls. He had alot of friends in the House and was expected to Win there if it went to the house. This worry occurred as Americans voted on November 3rd.
Final Results
Ross Perot (I), 39.91% and 274 EV
Bill Clinton (D), 35.43% and 218 EV
George H.W. Bush (R), 24.10% and 46 EV
The Election was indeed a nail bitter. However it became apparent that it may not end in a House decision after all. He was able to win all of the Major Swing States and then some. After weeks of recounts in New York, he was able to win the state by 307 votes over Clinton putting him just over the edge. He had won the Election. From a broader picture it was spectacular. He was able to come out of nowhere and was able to win a election against much more known names like the current President George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton and was able to build a coalition which United states like California, Texas, and New York which in a regular election would never all vote the same. It wasn't until December 21st until Bill Clinton dropped out due to the New York recount and him seeing a chance in known reaching 270. He called Perot around 5 PM to concede. It is said Perot Responded ' About Time'. Meanwhile Bush conceded to Perot as soon as the Texas Electoral Votes were confirmed for Perot in Early November 4th. Exit Polls showed how exactly he won which shock was still shacking in the minds of the Washington and New York Elites. The Polls showed that Among Whites as a whole Perot was able to win there 40% to Clinton's 35% and to Bush's 25%. Among the White working class Perot however narrowly lost that to Clinton in 41% to Clinton's 42%. Among blacks Perot Gained 26% to Clinton's 68% to Bush's 6%. This was huge for a candidate and especially Perot who was on the more right side of things. However his big black vote was attributed to the fact that he was the Only one in the field to propose Universal Healthcare. Among Hispanics, Clinton lead 51% to Perot's 44% while Perot took Asians in 55% to Clinton's 40%. Meanwhile Among Regions; Perot dominated the west taking 54% of the Western Vote. In the southern vote Clinton took 52% to Bush's 40% to Perot's 8%. In the Midwest Perot narrowly beat out Clinton 49% to 47% and in the Northeast Clinton won there 48% to Perot's 44%. However only winning 39% of the National Populous was not seen since the Days of Abraham Lincoln and Ross Perot would face difficult changes being the first independent Politician since the founding of the Country in the Presidency.
