Remembering the False Gloom and Doom of the 1992 Elections—and the Upcoming Midterms

Republicans risk repeating 1992 by failing to counter economic pessimism with the facts about strong growth, falling inflation, rising incomes, and a recovering economy. Remembering the False Gloom and Doom of the 1992 Elections—and the Upcoming Midterms In 1992, Bill Clinton won the presidential election partly on the basis of his campaign’s false accusation that George H. W. Bush had overseen “the worst economic performance since the Great Depression.” Or so claimed Clinton’s running mate Al Gore. James Carville, chief campaign adviser to Clinton/Gore, amplified that message with the constant refrain: “It’s the economy, stupid.” That strategy worked for three...