WI: Bob Dole in the White House on 9/11

Assuming he still lost the election in 1996, why would he bother running in 2000? Most candidates don't run again after losing.

It is not impossible for Dole to win in 1996, but a lot has to go very wrong in the Clinton presidency. The biggest problem for getting Dole in is that the terrorist incidents that happened (save the first WTC bombing) and most of the debacles that would be perfect for a "law and order president"...involved right wing groups. If you instead had a bunch of frothy Reds pissed at the fall of the Iron Curtain or a bunch of eco-left-terrorists causing the OKC bombing and holing up in Colorado fortresses, then Dole could come in as the last Greatest Generation President.
 
It is not impossible for Dole to win in 1996, but a lot has to go very wrong in the Clinton presidency. The biggest problem for getting Dole in is that the terrorist incidents that happened (save the first WTC bombing) and most of the debacles that would be perfect for a "law and order president"...involved right wing groups. If you instead had a bunch of frothy Reds pissed at the fall of the Iron Curtain or a bunch of eco-left-terrorists causing the OKC bombing and holing up in Colorado fortresses, then Dole could come in as the last Greatest Generation President.
The economy staying where it was in 1994 and the crack epidemic continuing could help Dole.
 
The only question is whether he would be fit enough to win re-election in 2000, or even bother running.

I vaguely recall from the 1996 election that he informally committed to not running for re-election in 2000 should he be elected in 1996. This was a response to doubts about he should run for President if he could not serve 8 years.
 
I vaguely recall from the 1996 election that he informally committed to not running for re-election in 2000 should he be elected in 1996. This was a response to doubts about he should run for President if he could not serve 8 years.
This raises the question: Would the GOP interpret Dole's victory as a validation of the Contract with America?
 
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