If Bob Dole was elected President in 1988...

1. Would he have raised taxes like HW did?

2. Would he have signed the Clean Air Act of 1990?

3. Would have signed the gun control laws that HW signed?
 
1. Would he have raised taxes like HW did?

Does this question need to be even asked? Dole was a deficit hawk and probably one of the least tax-averse forces in the GOP. Not only would he raise taxes, he'd very likely do it in his first year. Naturally, he would not make any tax promises as part of his acceptance speech.
 
He would have signed the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. By then, the failures of the 1970 CAA were glaringly obvious. After almost 20 years, much of the US population was still being exposed to unhealthy levels of some of the 1970 Act's regulated pollutants. Also, new issues like acid rain, stratospheric ozone depletion and hazardous air pollutants had been recognized as important. As a Kansan, he might have pushed for more alcohol-blended fuels to help the farm belt.
 
Like Bush, Dole would be forced to raise taxes to prevent another government shutdown and reduce the deficit. Gingrich and his friends would still be outraged, even if Dole doesn't make the "no new taxes" pledge that came back to bite Bush. IMO the Democrats still win in 1992, although Clinton might not be nominated if there is no Gulf War. Remember that leading Democrats ducked out of the race due to Bush's initial popularity; if there is no war you might see Cuomo, Bradley, Jackson, Gore, Gephardt, etc throw their hats into the ring. But IMO the Gulf War is still likely to happen under Dole, and if it does the 1992 election is largely unaffected.
 
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