In 1992, Bill Clinton (Democratic) won 370 of 538 electoral votes, defeating George H. W. Bush by 202 EV during the Modern Polarization era. In 1996, Bill Clinton (Democratic) won 379 of 538, defeating Bob Dole by 220 EV during the Modern Polarization era. Turnout: 58.1% vs 51.7%.
vs
1992
Modern Polarization
Bill Clinton
Democratic
Electoral votes
370 of 538
EV margin
202
Popular vote
43.0%
Turnout
58.1%
Runner-up
George H. W. Bush (Rep)
Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton defeated incumbent George Bush as billionaire Ross Perot ran the most successful third-party campaign since Theodore Roosevelt in 1912. Perot won 18.9% of the popular vote and no electoral votes but significantly divided the anti-Clinton vote, helping Clinton win with just 43% of the popular vote. Clinton's campaign team's internal motto was 'It's the economy, stupid,' capitalizing on the 1990-91 recession. Clinton became the first Democratic president elected since Jimmy Carter in 1976.
1996
Modern Polarization
Bill Clinton
Democratic
Electoral votes
379 of 538
EV margin
220
Popular vote
49.2%
Turnout
51.7%
Runner-up
Bob Dole (Rep)
Clinton won re-election comfortably over veteran Senator Bob Dole, running on the booming economy and declaring that 'the era of big government is over.' Clinton's triangulation strategy co-opted many Republican positions while defending the social safety net. Perot ran again on the Reform Party ticket but won only 8.4% compared to his 1992 total. The economy was in a strong expansion, and Clinton's incumbency advantages were decisive. No Democratic candidate had won consecutive terms since FDR.