1992
The 1992 U.S. presidential election was won by Bill Clinton (Democratic) with 370 of 538 electoral votes, defeating George H. W. Bush (Republican). Electoral vote margin: 202 EV, popular-vote margin +5.6%; turnout 58.1%. The cycle falls in the Modern Polarization era of American electoral history.
Bill Clinton and the 1992 map
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.
Economic recession; NAFTA; healthcare reform; 'It's the economy, stupid'
Perot won 18.9% — best third-party popular vote since TR 1912; Clinton won with only 43%
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