The ‘New Democrat’The ‘New Democrat’

By:By:

Derrick HuhnDerrick Huhn

The GovernorThe Governor

• The presidential election of 1992 was one of a The presidential election of 1992 was one of a long shot for Bill Clinton. He was the governor long shot for Bill Clinton. He was the governor of a small state and had great political of a small state and had great political ambition but with little national recognition, his ambition but with little national recognition, his chances of winning the presidential election chances of winning the presidential election were slim. With his running mate Al Gore, were slim. With his running mate Al Gore, they fought and challenged the current U.S. they fought and challenged the current U.S. president George Bush who at the time had president George Bush who at the time had the advantage with the power of incumbency the advantage with the power of incumbency behind his back.behind his back.

The ControversyThe Controversy

• Near the beginning of the election year, Clinton Near the beginning of the election year, Clinton received much media coverage when he took an received much media coverage when he took an interview with 60 minutes to defend allegations of an interview with 60 minutes to defend allegations of an extramarital affair brought upon him in February of extramarital affair brought upon him in February of 1992. He and Hillary assured the public even though 1992. He and Hillary assured the public even though they had marriage problems in the past, they were they had marriage problems in the past, they were perfectly happy with their current marriage status. perfectly happy with their current marriage status. This situation demonstrated Clinton's great resistance This situation demonstrated Clinton's great resistance to adversity, and proved he could change this to adversity, and proved he could change this negative media to help him in his campaign for negative media to help him in his campaign for presidency.presidency.

It’s the economy, stupid!It’s the economy, stupid!

• During the middle of it all, During the middle of it all, voters felt George Bush did voters felt George Bush did not focus enough on the not focus enough on the economy and that’s when economy and that’s when the Clinton campaign the Clinton campaign coined the phrase "It's the coined the phrase "It's the economy, stupid." Even economy, stupid." Even though this was a great though this was a great advantage to the Clinton advantage to the Clinton campaign, it was an up and campaign, it was an up and coming TV appearance that coming TV appearance that gave him a head start in gave him a head start in

the race for the presidency.the race for the presidency.

The Turning PointThe Turning Point

• In an effort to reach young and In an effort to reach young and African American voters, Clinton African American voters, Clinton appeared on the Arsenio Hall appeared on the Arsenio Hall Show. To show his "New Show. To show his "New Democratic" side, Clinton, Democratic" side, Clinton, equipped with a pair of dark equipped with a pair of dark sunglasses and saxophone, sunglasses and saxophone, played two songs along side played two songs along side with the show's band. Hall with the show's band. Hall complimented the former complimented the former presidential candidate saying he presidential candidate saying he was "Glad to see a Democrat was "Glad to see a Democrat who could blow something who could blow something besides an election". besides an election".

A New RecordA New Record

• His appearance on FOX was His appearance on FOX was a turning point in the election a turning point in the election race against President Bush. race against President Bush. It was also a turning point in It was also a turning point in America's history. After his America's history. After his appearance, America saw its appearance, America saw its highest voter turnout of 18 to highest voter turnout of 18 to 24 year olds since the twenty 24 year olds since the twenty fifth amendment was passed. fifth amendment was passed.

Sweet VictorySweet Victory

• In the end Clinton used his image In the end Clinton used his image of youth to convince voters to of youth to convince voters to take a change and vote for a take a change and vote for a democrat for the first time in 10 democrat for the first time in 10 years. He not only achieved years. He not only achieved success for his campaign but success for his campaign but also in voting amongst the also in voting amongst the younger generations. The FOX younger generations. The FOX appearance showed America the appearance showed America the "New Democrat" Clinton's "New Democrat" Clinton's campaign had hoped to create campaign had hoped to create and voters responded, which in and voters responded, which in the end sealed the victory for the the end sealed the victory for the former unknown governor of former unknown governor of Arkansas.Arkansas.