WI: George W Bush runs in 1996

What if George W Bush, two years into his governorship of Texas, runs for the Presidency? Can he defeat Clinton? Assuming he does, what does his presidency look like? Re-elected in 2000? Who are potential 2000 Democratic challengers?
 
He loses. The economy was good, Clinton was way more charismatic than Gore, and any compassionate conservative pitch would be contrasted with Gingrich’s shutdown and attacks on Medicare. His lack of experience would also be a hinderance, along with the sense that he’s racing to the Presidency unprepared.
 
Especially as a Texas Governor (extremely weak when Bush took office - now a little stronger thanks to Bush and Perry), the experience thing would hamper him more than normal. Even IOTL, some of his presidential weaknesses are likely due to the somewhat truncated Executive experience the Texas Governor gets, especially because he didn't have authority over the other cabinet departments (plural executive).

If Bush was to be anywhere it'd be as a VP for a far stronger GOP candidate and a hungover Clinton ("Hillarycare" goes really bad, the Republicans take over as OTL or even more so), AND the economy still sucks).
 
Even IOTL, some of his presidential weaknesses are likely due to the somewhat truncated Executive experience the Texas Governor gets, especially because he didn't have authority over the other cabinet departments (plural executive).

Another reason why Jeb! is the Bush who should've been President in 2001, not George W. There is one man who should never, ever, ever, ever, ever, EVER, have run for political office.
 
I think he loses the nomination to Dole. A few reasons: comparative inexperience next to Dole, too soon after his father was President, it was Dole's "turn" (a factor that still mattered in GOP presidential politics in 1996).

If, somehow, he managed to win the nomination, he loses to Clinton. Badly.
 
I think he loses the nomination to Dole. A few reasons: comparative inexperience next to Dole, too soon after his father was President, it was Dole's "turn" (a factor that still mattered in GOP presidential politics in 1996).

If, somehow, he managed to win the nomination, he loses to Clinton. Badly.

(1) what happens to his re-election for Texas Governor in this scenario?

(2) what if he did beat Clinton though?
 
(1) what happens to his re-election for Texas Governor in this scenario?

(2) what if he did beat Clinton though?
If interested Richards could come back and say that he didn't actually want to be Governor in 1998, but a lot of realignment had already happened and it might be hard.
If his 1996 run was truly a mess, possible another powerful Republican primaries him.
 
Note that Dole got the nomination largely for the same reason Walter Mondale got nominated in 1984 - it was his turn, and someone needed to be a sacrificial lamb. If Clinton had been more vulnerable, the Republicans may well have gone with someone else.
 
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