In 1996 Bill Clinton looked unbeatable. After Dole won the nomination he trailed Clinton by twenty points, so he pinned his hopes on a running mate. Dole practically had to beg Powell to accept the nomination, but he did. Powell would prove a proficient organizer in the Fall Campaign, but by early October Clinton still had a twelve point lead, but then the real shock of the campaign came along. Ross Perot, despite claiming early in 1995 that he had no interest in running again, began buying airtime on network television and comparing President Clinton to a criminal/pervert. "Would you leave this man alone with your sixteen-year-old daughter? No. So how can you trust him with nearly unlimited power?" That was probably the most successful quote.
By election night President Clinton still had a five point lead in the Gallup poll, but the returns were surprising. While most forecasted a 50% voter turnout, it ended up being closer to 60%. After two weeks of tallying Dole/Powell held a lead in the national popular vote of just under 100,000, but Dole/Powell carried the South and Midwest, and shocked everyone by carrying California. Clinton made accusations of voter fraud in several states, but public opinion turned against him, and he left office with an approval rating of 42%, and Hillary left him the next year amid rumors of a paternity suit being settled with a former campaign aid, and wrote a seething tell all. She moved back to Arkansas and won a seat in the House of Representatives in 1998.
Many believed that a Black man in such a position of power would draw assassination attempts, but ironically it was President Dole who would not see the end of his term, passing in June of 1998 as a result of complications from a routine surgery to remove a benign intestinal tumor.
Powell became the first Black President of the United States. By 2000 it appeared he would win reelection easily, with approval ratings hovering in the mid 60s. However, he shocked the nation by saying he had no interest in returning for a second term, for reason he has asked friends and family not to reveal until after he and his wife pass on.
Soldier, Statesman, Private individual, he is the most talked about living former President.
By election night President Clinton still had a five point lead in the Gallup poll, but the returns were surprising. While most forecasted a 50% voter turnout, it ended up being closer to 60%. After two weeks of tallying Dole/Powell held a lead in the national popular vote of just under 100,000, but Dole/Powell carried the South and Midwest, and shocked everyone by carrying California. Clinton made accusations of voter fraud in several states, but public opinion turned against him, and he left office with an approval rating of 42%, and Hillary left him the next year amid rumors of a paternity suit being settled with a former campaign aid, and wrote a seething tell all. She moved back to Arkansas and won a seat in the House of Representatives in 1998.
Many believed that a Black man in such a position of power would draw assassination attempts, but ironically it was President Dole who would not see the end of his term, passing in June of 1998 as a result of complications from a routine surgery to remove a benign intestinal tumor.
Powell became the first Black President of the United States. By 2000 it appeared he would win reelection easily, with approval ratings hovering in the mid 60s. However, he shocked the nation by saying he had no interest in returning for a second term, for reason he has asked friends and family not to reveal until after he and his wife pass on.
Soldier, Statesman, Private individual, he is the most talked about living former President.
