Republican Candidates
Primary Candidates
Because Democratic President Bill Clinton was very unpopular during his first two years in office, many prominent republican candidates entered the field for the Republican Presidential nomination. As Clinton’s popularity later increased during his third year in office, several candidates withdrew from the race.
Going into the primary race, Robert Dole, Senate Majority Leader and former vice-presidential nominee, was seen as the front-runner. He was a two time presidential candidate, in the 1980 and 1988 election, and was expected to win the primary against several underdog candidates. Some popular candidates included journalist and 1992 presidential candidate Pat Buchanan and magazine publisher Steve Forbes.
Central Issues
The issues debated during the primary election season included a flat tax and other tax cut proposals, and a return to supply-side economics policies popularized by Reagan. The 1995 budget stalemate between the Congress and the President was also an important issue for the candidates, as it caused temporary shutdowns and slowdowns in many areas of federal government service.
Primary and Caucus Results
In late January, Buchanan won a non-binding straw poll in Alaska, and later went on to win the Louisiana caucus. Gramm had been expected to win Louisiana as he was from neighboring Texas and had the support of many Louisiana party regulars. Dole won the Iowa Caucus with 26% of the vote, which was a smaller margin of victory than had been expected. After placing 5th in the Iowa Caucus, Gramm withdrew from the contest before the New Hampshire primary. In the New Hampshire Primary, Buchanan surprising came in first, with Dole in second place. Forbes was victorious in both Delaware and Arizona, raising questions as to whether or not Dole would be the Republican nominee. However, Dole was able to win every primary after that, eventually securing enough delegate commitments to claim status as the GOP presumptive nominee. In March, Buchanan suspended his campaign, having collected only 21 percent of the Republican vote. Forbes also later withdrew, having only won two states.
Dole’s Endorsements
Bob Dole had received notable endorsements from Former Senator and 1964 Presidential nominee Barry Goldwater of Arizona, Governor George W. Bush of Texas, and former Governor George Wallace of Alabama. Dole won the popular primary vote with 58.82 % of the vote and won the Republican nomination with 1928 delegates as compared to runner-up Buchanan with 47 delegates.
Because Democratic President Bill Clinton was very unpopular during his first two years in office, many prominent republican candidates entered the field for the Republican Presidential nomination. As Clinton’s popularity later increased during his third year in office, several candidates withdrew from the race.
Going into the primary race, Robert Dole, Senate Majority Leader and former vice-presidential nominee, was seen as the front-runner. He was a two time presidential candidate, in the 1980 and 1988 election, and was expected to win the primary against several underdog candidates. Some popular candidates included journalist and 1992 presidential candidate Pat Buchanan and magazine publisher Steve Forbes.
Central Issues
The issues debated during the primary election season included a flat tax and other tax cut proposals, and a return to supply-side economics policies popularized by Reagan. The 1995 budget stalemate between the Congress and the President was also an important issue for the candidates, as it caused temporary shutdowns and slowdowns in many areas of federal government service.
Primary and Caucus Results
In late January, Buchanan won a non-binding straw poll in Alaska, and later went on to win the Louisiana caucus. Gramm had been expected to win Louisiana as he was from neighboring Texas and had the support of many Louisiana party regulars. Dole won the Iowa Caucus with 26% of the vote, which was a smaller margin of victory than had been expected. After placing 5th in the Iowa Caucus, Gramm withdrew from the contest before the New Hampshire primary. In the New Hampshire Primary, Buchanan surprising came in first, with Dole in second place. Forbes was victorious in both Delaware and Arizona, raising questions as to whether or not Dole would be the Republican nominee. However, Dole was able to win every primary after that, eventually securing enough delegate commitments to claim status as the GOP presumptive nominee. In March, Buchanan suspended his campaign, having collected only 21 percent of the Republican vote. Forbes also later withdrew, having only won two states.
Dole’s Endorsements
Bob Dole had received notable endorsements from Former Senator and 1964 Presidential nominee Barry Goldwater of Arizona, Governor George W. Bush of Texas, and former Governor George Wallace of Alabama. Dole won the popular primary vote with 58.82 % of the vote and won the Republican nomination with 1928 delegates as compared to runner-up Buchanan with 47 delegates.