1992 United States Presidential Election (A New Dawn)

The 1992 United States Presidential Election was the 52nd quadrennial presidential election in the United States, and its second two-round election, held on Tuesday, November 8, 1992. Democratic challenger Bill Clinton defeated incumbent Republican George H. W. Bush, ending a winning streak for the Republican Party. The election also solidified a deep divide between the entrenched parties and the rising minor parties, as conservatives, feeling betrayed by Bush breaking his "No new taxes" pledge, flocked to Schlafly and the Constitution Party at large, while budding progressives and social democrats joined the Progressive Party en mass.

Despite this, Bush managed to secure renomination, fending off a challenge from Pat Buchanan, who briefly rejoined the GOP to challenge Bush. After losing, Buchanan rejoined the Constitution Party and supported its eventual nominee, Phyllis Schlafly. In the Democratic Party, the young Clinton championed himself as a centrist and moderate, contrasting with Dukakis four years earlier. Clinton managed to defeat former California Governor Jerry Brown, driving Brown to the Progressives, and Paul Tsongas, a former Senator from Massachusetts.

In the Constitution Party, Phyllis Schlafly was nominated essentially unopposed, while Brown defected to the Progressives and beat out the party's 1988 Vice Presidential nominee, Jesse Jackson, the second time Jackson had failed to be nominated by his own party. Schlafly selected conservative activist Howard Phillips as her running mate, while Brown picked Gary Hart, a former Colorado Senator.

Clinton campaigned as a moderate, centrist Democrat, distancing himself from the past failures of Mondale and Dukakis, while also attacking Brown as a radical. Bush lost significant ground with conservatives to Schlafly, who campaigned for lower taxes, an emphasis on family values, and opposition to feminism. Perot campaigned mainly as a populist, highlighting his opposition to NAFTA while avoiding taking stances on divisive issues. Brown campaigned for single-payer healthcare, an issue that would later become a core tenant of the Progressive Party.

Ultimately, Clinton would secure a solid plurality in the first round, while Bush would lose ground in the south to Schlafly. Perot took several states, two of those notably being Michigan and Pennsylvania. Brown, having failed to garner the same momentum LaRouche had four years ago, came in last after winning segments of New England.

Constitution Nomination
Following Buchanan's extremely good performance in the South in 1988, and the growing influence the party held in the South, Constitution's leaders began to look for a candidate who could capitalize on that momentum, combining it with anti-Bush sentiment amongst conservatives and the concern many had for the nation's deteriorating values.

Campaign
As Clinton secured the Democratic nomination process and Bush was re-nominated, early polls saw Perot and Schlafly leading, with the worsening economy tanking Bush's support and with many becoming disillusioned with the two main parties. Brown rallied progressives to his side, and, early in the summer, was polling above Clinton amongst liberals in general, though that support would gradually decay as Clinton unified the Democrats behind him.

Schlafly gained support amongst many conservatives, and was especially popular amongst Republican women, helping to increase their numbers within the Constitution Party. Perot was well-liked by independents, while Bush's support continued to slide. He did receive a small uptick of support after the nomination, though this would fade. Schlafly criticized Bush for breaking his "no new taxes" pledge, which she tied to the worsening economic situation. She also called Bush a "traitor" to Reagan and conservatives at large.

Brown and Clinton sparred on economic and social policy, though Clinton was dismissive of Brown, and preferred to focus on the economy. Perot campaigned as a moderate and distanced himself from party politics, despite having his own political party, Reform. He took protectionist stances, criticizing NAFTA, and avoided any serious stances on issues such as abortion to avoid alienating any specific base. Clinton was attacked by all over allegations of affairs, his lack of military service, and the allegation that he used cannabis while in college, which he responded to by claiming he "didn't inhale."

Debates
Three debates were held. In two unprecedented five-candidate debates, which observers likened to a primary debate, the moderators often struggled to keep order.

First Round
On election night, Clinton took a solid plurality, improving on Dukakis's margins from 1988. Bush swept the plains, and managed to take parts of the Midwest. Schlafly swept the south, only losing Arkansas, Clinton's home state. Indeed, Schlafly significantly improved on the Buchanan's performance in 1988, managing to take counties as far north as Michigan and as far west as Utah. Her success would greatly embolden the party in future endeavors. Perot secured several states, even taking Michigan and Pennsylvania, which stunned commentators. Brown, meanwhile, lost many states that LaRouche had won, only taking parts of New England and the District of Columbia.