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"There was some speculation that the Bushes would try for a comeback in 2000. That did not come to pass. George and Jeb ran for Governor of Texas and Florida respectively in 1994, but each fell to opponents who, despite the year's Republican wave, were just too strong.[1] Jeb would win in 1998, but he couldn't run in 2000, he was too new to the scene. George W left politics, he pursued a career in baseball instead. The Bush dynasty was out of the picture. This set the scene for the 2000 election." -Neck and Neck: The Story of the 2000 Election by James W Ceaser and Andrew E Busch



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I am ready to help our country face the challenges of a new century and to make the right choices, This election will be about the character of the nation and its institutions. This election will be about restoring respect for the presidency."-Lamar Alexander announces his second run for the presidency, March 9, 1999

"Lamar started off the campaign with three main themes. He said his themes were "Raising family incomes by lowering taxes and securing Social Security" and "strengthening national defense, especially against terrorists." Education was a big issue for him too. He was going to transform public education. As a former Education secretary, that's an area he had some gravitas in, so to speak. He promised to deregulate education, ending teacher tenure and offering HOPE scholarships to allow parents to choose the school their child attends. Lamar, he wasn't going to let the Democrats keep hogging the education issue. He was confident with his credentials he could beat them on that front. He knew it was going to be tough, but he was in a good position."-Former Chief of Staff for President Alexander, Steve Schmidt, in the award-winning 2010 documentary Lamar

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Lamar Alexander entered the race in a good position. He was well-respected in the GOP, being a popular, moderate former Governor of Tennessee and former Education Secretary. His 2000 bid looked to be more successful than his 1996 one. Lamar Alexander ran as the outsider then, casting himself as a down-home outsider wearing a red plaid shirt. Now he had moved beyond such gimmicks, he was a frontrunner this time. The establishment supported him, he was a good fit for them and not associated with the unpopular congressional wing of the party, but judged by donors to be an electable conservative they'd be happy to govern with. Conservative grassroots were less supportive of Alexander, with many viewing him as too moderate. However they did not loathe him. So Alexander had establishment backing and wide support among the Republican Party."-How Lamar Won: The Story of the 2000 Election by Larry Sabato

NEW ADDITIONS TO GOP FIELD AS SANTORUM, BROWNBACK JOIN FIELD-APRIL 19, 1999

ENGLER DECLINES TO RUN, ENDORSES ALEXANDER-APRIL 22, 1999

May 2 poll by Gallup-GOP primary nationwide polling:
Lamar Alexander-36%
Elizabeth Dole-25%
Dan Quayle-9%
Pat Buchanan-6%
Steve Forbes-6%
Rick Santorum-5%
Sam Brownback-3%
Gary Bauer-3%
John Kasich-1%

"The campaign started off well. I burst to the head of the field, and we had the wind at our back. There was strong support in the party for my candidacy. We were raking in cash, and leading in the polls. Iowa was looking good, so was New Hampshire. The campaign operation was running smoothly. I was back on the trail, and this time it looked like I actually had a shot at the White House."-In My Time: A Personal and Political Memoir by Lamar Alexander

"We need to continue the progress of the last 8 years. And we need to build on it too. W can't just stay where we are now, we need to move forward. If I'm President, we're gonna push for more progress and by the way, we'll have a gal in the White House. We need to keep this country moving forward, that's what I'll do!"-Texas Governor Ann Richards announces she is running for President of the United States, May 14, 1999

"We need to bring conservative leadership to the White House. As President, I will restore dignity to the presidency. I will reform our education system to grant more freedom to teachers and students. (Cheers) I will secure Social Security so it can continue to provide to future Americans what it provides for us now. (Cheers) I will preserve and enhance American leadership abroad. (Cheers) And I will cut taxes so our economy can continue to grow and we can get more of what we put in. (Cheers). with this conservative message, we are going to go and win the White House! (Louder cheers)" -A campaign speech by Lamar Alexander, May 23, 1999



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[1]The PoD is that Ann Richards doesn't make her 'Prince Charming' gaffe and narrowly beats George W Bush in the 1994 Texas gubernatorial election. She wins again in 1998 and will play a role in this TL.

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