1. Election of 1960
Nixon versus Kennedy

2. Background: Dwight Eisenhower had just finished up 8 years of serving as President. During his time in office, the country did very well economically.

3. The Candidates:
DEMOCRATS--John F. Kennedy
Father was involved in politics
JFK had served in Congress prior to running for President.
Kennedy’s family had been actively involved in politics

4. The Candidates:
REPUBLICANS—
Richard Nixon
Nixon had served in Congress and had been Eisenhower’s Vice President for 8 years.
Known as a cold warrior

5. Key issues/events in the Campaign:
1. JFK was Catholic-Never before had a Catholic been elected to the Presidency
2. Debates--For the first time the Presidential debates were held on T.V.

6. Most who watched the debates on T. V
Most who watched the debates on T.V. felt that JFK won, most who listened on the radio felt that Nixon had won.
The T.V. showed JFK to be confident and outgoing, while it made Nixon appear to be nervous and stiff.

7. The Election Results:
This was one of the closest elections in U.S. history. Less than 100,000 votes separated Nixon and JFK.
There were several states where the results were disputed, but Nixon chose not to challenge the results

11. Key Events that occurred between the 1960 and 1964 elections:
Bay of Pigs--April of Failed invasion of Cuba
Cuban Missile Crisis-October 1962

12. Vietnam Conflict
JFK Assassination—November 22, 1963

13. Goldwater versus Johnson
Election of 1964
Goldwater versus Johnson

14. Background:
After JFK was killed in 1963 Lyndon B. Johnson, his Vice-President, became president.
LBJ pushed for increased involvement in Vietnam, as well as for more liberal legislation in terms of Civil Rights.—He also increased spending for social programs

15. The Candidates:
DEMOCRATS: Lyndon B. Johnson
REPUBLICANS: Barry Goldwater, Conservative Senator from Arizona.

16. Key Events/Issues in the campaign:
The election of 1964 came down to two questions:
1. Would the U.S. continue JFK’s legacy?
2. Would the U.S. vote for a liberal candidate or a conservative candidate?

17. Key Events/Issues in the campaign:
Ronald Reagan, a one-time Democrat and actor, gave a stirring speech in favor of Goldwater. While this didn’t help Goldwater win, it did put Reagan into national prominence.

18. This election was not even close. Johnson routed Goldwater
This election was not even close. Johnson routed Goldwater. This reaffirmed America’s support for the continuation of the legacy of JFK and also showed that the U.S. would back a liberal candidate.
A clear shift to the 60’s era.

22. Between the election of 1964 and 1968 key events included:
Escalation of the war in Vietnam
Civil Rights movement--MLK Jr. etc. . .

23. Nixon versus Humphrey Vs. Wallace
Election of 1968
Nixon versus Humphrey
Vs. Wallace

24. Background: The time between 1964-68 was a turbulent time in America
Background: The time between was a turbulent time in America. The Vietnam Conflict as well as Civil unrest at home made things very volatile.

25. In a stunning decision, Lyndon B
In a stunning decision, Lyndon B. Johnson decided NOT to seek re-election in 1968.

26. LBJ’s decision came in part due to anti-war Sen
LBJ’s decision came in part due to anti-war Sen. Eugene McCarthy’s strong showing in the New Hampshire Primary
The Democratic party was torn over the issue of Vietnam

27. The Candidates:
DEMOCRATS--With LBJ not seeking re-election, the following ran
Eugene McCarthy:Sen. from Minnesota
Hubert Humphrey: LBJ’s Vice-President

28. Robert F. Kennedy: John F. Kennedy’s younger brother
George Wallace: Gov. from Alabama

29. The Candidates:
REPUBLICANS: Richard Nixon
The Presidential Primaries went very easy for Nixon, while the primaries were extremely tough on the Democrats.

30. Wallace left the Democratic Party and formed the American Independent party--a third party based on racial segregation.

31. Humphrey and RFK were the two major players for the Democrats
Humphrey and RFK were the two major players for the Democrats. After RFK won the crucial California primary, he was assassinated.
This meant that Humphrey received the nomination for the Democrats even though he had entered the race late and was trailing RFK.

32. Key Events in the Campaign:
RFK’s death
Democratic National Convention in Chicago--Riots during the convention(inside/outside) did not give American’s a good view of the party
Wallace’s 3rd party drew votes from the Democrats.

33. In the end, in a fairly close race, Richard Nixon prevailed with Humphrey finishing 2nd and Wallace 3rd in the race.

37. Key events that occurred between 1968-1972:
Vietnam Conflict continued to grow.
Richard Nixon visited China in Feb. of 1972.

38. Election of 1972
Nixon versus McGovern

39. Background
Nixon’s 1st term was marked by the continuation of the Vietnam War, and his visit to China.

40. Candidates
Republicans-Richard Nixon
Democrats-George McGovern Senator from South Dakota. He had previously worked under JFK and had promoted a “minimum family wage”

41. Key events during the campaign:
WATERGATE--A break-in occurred at the Watergate building in Wash. D.C. It was covered up until the end of the election.

42. Election Results--American’s supported Nixon and his goal to show America to be powerful. Middle class Americans were offended by McGovern’s “Minimum family wage” plan.
Nixon won in a blowout. McGovern only won Massachusetts and Wash D.C.

46. Events between
Spiro Agnew, Nixon’s V.P resigns due to scandal involving bribes.
Watergate Scandal broke.

47. Nixon resigns August 8, 1974
Gerald Ford becomes president.
Gerald Ford pardons President Nixon.

48. Election of 1976
Ford vs. Carter

49. Background: The Watergate scandal left a “black eye” on American politics. People started not to trust the government.
Gerald Ford did a reasonably good job as President, but people wanted to punish someone for Nixon’s “sins.”

50. Candidates:
Republicans--Gerald Ford received a tough primary challenge from California Gov. Ronald Reagan.

51. Democrats: Jimmy Carter Governor of Georgia
Democrats: Jimmy Carter Governor of Georgia. Walter Mondale Senator From Minn.
Ford and Carter won the primaries
Ford chose Bob Dole Sen. From Kansas as his V.P.

52. Key events/issues:
Ford was weakened from his fight with Reagan
Ford was chained down by his connection to Nixon
Quite simply, America wanted a change.

53. Election Results:
Carter defeated Ford in a fairly close election
CARTER
Pop. Vote: 40,830,763 (50.1%)
FORD
Pop. Vote: 39,147,793 (48.0%)
REAGAN Pop. Vote: 1,260 (>0.1%)

57. Events between
Energy Crisis (gas lines)
Camp David Accords
Iran Hostage Crisis
Poor Economy+Poor Foreign Relations=Disaster

58. Reagan versus Carter versus Anderson
Election of 1980
Reagan versus Carter versus Anderson

59. Background: Jimmy Carter’s term as president was marked by a poor economy and poor foreign relations.

60. After being defeated in the primary election of 1976, Ronald Reagan campaigned for 4 years.

61. Candidates:
Democrats--Carter received a tough challenge from Senator Ted Kennedy.

62. Republicans:
Ronald Reagan
George Bush
John Anderson

63. Reagan won the nomination and chose George Bush as his V.P.
John Anderson formed a 3rd party.
Carter won the nomination for the Democrats.
Lake Chappaquiddick affair from 1969 damaged Kennedy

64. Key issues:
Economy
Iran-Hostage Crisis
Election Results:
Reagan won in a blowout. Carter’s administration was a disaster.

68. Events between
Assassination attempt on Reagan 1981.
Reagan cut taxes in 1982
1984 Olympics

69. Election of 1984
Reagan vs. Mondale

70. Background:
Reagan’s first term was fairly successful. He cut taxes, and the economy started to do better.
Reagan put an emphasis on military spending.

71. Candidates:
Republicans-Reagan

72. Walter Mondale--Former V.P. and Senator from Minnesota.
Democrats:
Walter Mondale--Former V.P. and Senator from Minnesota.
Jesse Jackson-Civil Rights leader
Gary Hart-Senator from Colorado

73. Mondale won the nomination for the Democrats
Key issues/events in campaign
Debates: Reagan posed one key question:
Are you better off now than you were four years ago?
Most Americans agreed with that statement.

74. Walter Mondale chose Geraldine Ferraro to be his running mate
Walter Mondale chose Geraldine Ferraro to be his running mate. This was the 1st time that a woman ran on a major ticket for VP

75. Election Results--Reagan won in one of the biggest landslides in election history.
Mondale only won his home state of Minnesota and Washington D.C.

79. Events between
Iran- Contra Scandal
Space Shuttle Disaster 1986
Rising national debt

80. Election of 1988
Bush versus Dukakis

81. Background: Ronald Reagan’s second term was a solid one
Background: Ronald Reagan’s second term was a solid one. Despite some controversy(Iran Contra Scandal) Reagan remained a popular president.
In the 1988 election Reagan could not run again due to constitutional restrictions.

82. Candidates:
Democrats
Al Gore-Senator from Tennessee
Michael Dukakis-Gov. from Mass.

83. Gary Hart-Senator from Colorado
Jesse Jackson-Civil Rights leader
Hart was running in the lead until a sex scandal broke.

84. Dukakis ended up securing the nomination for the Democrats.

85. Republicans
George Bush-Vice President
Bob Dole-Senator from Kansas
Pat Robertson-T.V. Evangelist

86. Dole and Robertson dropped out after losing in early primaries.
The general campaign pitted Bush versus Dukakis.

87. KEY EVENTS IN THE CAMPAIGN Dirty campaign(Willie Horton ad)
Bush ran on continuing Reagan’s legacy.
VP Debates-Dan Quayle vs. Lloyd Bentsen
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

88. ELECTION RESULTS
People wanted a continuation of the Reagan legacy. George Bush won in a blowout.

92. EVENTS BETWEEN
Tax increase of 1990
Gulf War 1991

93. Bush versus Clinton versus Perot
Election of 1992
Bush versus Clinton versus Perot

94. Background--The presidency of George Bush is defined by success and failure
Success-Gulf War
Failure-Tax increase in 1990.
Bush was very successful in terms of foreign policy, but was not successful in terms of the economy.

95. The Candidates:
Democrats
Bill Clinton, governor from Arkansas secured the nomination after beating out other opponents.

96. Republicans
George Bush faced a tough challenge from Pat Buchanan. Bush won the nomination, but was damaged by Buchanan’s attacks.

97. Independent Party Candidate: Texas Billionaire Ross Perot

98. Key events/issues in the campaign:
Change in leadership(youth)
Economy
The American people were upset with President Bush for breaking his “No new taxes” pledge.
The Perot Factor(is he IN or OUT)

99. Election Results:
In a fairly close race, Clinton defeated Bush and Perot.
Had Perot NOT run, there is an excellent chance that Bush would have been re-elected.
Clinton won election with only 43% of the popular vote.

103. Events between
The economy does well.

104. REPUBLICAN REVOLUTION OF For the first time since Eisenhower, the House of Representatives and the Senate are controlled by the Republicans. They continued to hold this majority until 2006 where the Democrats regained control of Congress

105. Dole versus Clinton (and Perot)
Election of 1996
Dole versus Clinton (and Perot)

106. Background: Clinton had a decent first term in office
Background: Clinton had a decent first term in office. Despite losing the majority in congress, Clinton remained popular with voters.

107. Candidates:
Democrats-Clinton easily regained the nomination

108. Republicans-
Alan Keyes-Conservative African-American talk show host
Bob Dole-Senator from Kansas
Pat Buchanan-Conservative columnist

109. Phil Graham-Senator from Texas
Steve Forbes-Millionaire businessman
The Republican primary season was very tough-Eventually Dole was able to use his experience to win the nomination.

110. Key events/issues in the campaign:
Old vs.. Young
Continue Clinton’s legacy
ELECTION RESULTS
Dole was about 8 years late in running for president. Clinton was popular, worked well with the camera. Dole appeared to be too old to achieve the presidency.

111. In addition, Ross Perot ran once again
In addition, Ross Perot ran once again. Perot did not have the same impact that he had experienced in 1992.
In the end, Clinton won a solid victory.

115. EVENTS BETWEEN
Scandals-Monica Lewinsky, China gate, Fund-raising scandal

116. Election of 2000
Bush vs. Gore

117. Background: 1996-2000 was a mixed time for the Clinton administration
Background: was a mixed time for the Clinton administration. There was support for the economy, but growing concern about the ethics of administration.
This set the stage for one of the closest election races in history.

118. The Candidates:
DEMOCRATS
Al Gore-Vice President
Bill Bradley-Former Senator from New Jersey

119. Bradley and Gore ran close until it was revealed that Bradley had heart trouble. This helped secure Gore the nomination for the Democrats.

120. REPUBLICANS
George W. Bush-Son of former President Bush. Governor of Texas
John McCain-Senator from Arizona

121. Alan Keyes-Conservative African-American talk show host.
Pat Buchanan-Left the Republican party to earn the Reform party nomination.

122. Key events/issues in the Campaign
Gore wanted to take credit for the good things under Clinton(economy) but wanted to avoid the bad things(scandals)
Bush needed to emerge from under the shadow of his father, and confront his past(drugs etc…)
The “Nader” effect???

123. This election was one of the closest in American history
This election was one of the closest in American history. The election was decided by the State of Florida in which Bush won the state officially by only a few hundred votes.
The official decision wasn’t made public until several weeks after election night.

124. Gore won the popular vote, but lost the electoral vote, raising serious questions about changing the system.
Popular vote
GORE 50,994,086 (48.4%)
BUSH 50,461,092 (47.9%)
NADER 2,882,985 (2.74%)

125. ELECTORAL VOTE:
BUSH: 271 GORE:266
1 electoral college member abstained from voting out of protest

127. Key Events between
9/11—renewed emphasis on military and “homeland security spending”
Enron/Business Scandals

128. 2002 mid-term elections—Republicans increased their hold on Congress
War on Terrorism

129. Election of 2004
Bush vs. Kerry

130. Democrats

131. Carol Moseley Braun—Former U.S. Senator, Illinois Joe Biden
Senator--Delaware
                        
                        
                       
                       
                      J
Gary Hart
Former U.S. Senator
Colorado
Dick Gephardt
Congressman
Missouri

132. Joe Lieberman
U.S Senator
Connecticut
John Edwards
U.S. Senator
North Carolina
Al Sharpton
Civil Rights Activist
New York
John Kerry
U.S. Senator
Massachusetts

133. How things can change…. THE FRONTRUNNERS
Howard Dean Former Governor (D-Vermont)
Wesley Clark Retired Army General (D-Arkansas)
THE FRONTRUNNERS

134. Republicans George W. Bush
The question with the Republicans was-- Would Bush keep Cheney as his VP –would Cheney’s health allow it?
                                                                                

135. After a hard fought primary, the Democrats selected Massachusetts Senator John Kerry for the Presidency—He chose John Edwards, Senator from N. Carolina as his VP choice.

136. The General Election pitted Bush/Cheney vs. Kerry/Edwards
Key Events in the Campaign
War on Terror(IRAQ)
Economy
Moral issues

137. Election Results—As with 2000, this was an extremely close election
Election Results—As with 2000, this was an extremely close election. Bush won by a narrow margin, and became the 1st president since George Bush in 1988 to win over 50% of the popular vote.

138. Bush 286 Electoral Votes Kerry 252 Electoral Votes Popular Vote

139. Election of 2008
McCain vs. Obama

140. Potential Candidates…
Democrats
Hillary Clinton-Former First Lady Senator from New York
Barack Obama—Senator from Illinois
Potential Candidates…

141. Potential Candidates…
Republicans
John McCain—Former POW Senator from Arizona 1986-Present
Rudy Giuliani—Former Prosecutor, Mayor of New York City
Potential Candidates…

142. Potential Candidates…
Republicans
Mitt Romney—Former Gov. of Massachusetts
Mike Huckabee—Former Gov. from Arkansas
Fred Thompson—Former Actor, Senator from Tennessee
Potential Candidates…

143. Potential Candidates…
Republicans—John McCain secured the nomination early in the process
Democrats—Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton had a major battle. Eventually Obama prevailed. Obama selected Sen. Joe Biden for his V.P. choice
Potential Candidates…

144. Potential Candidates…
Key Events/Issues in the Campaign
Economy—stock market
War in Iraq/Afghanistan
Potential Candidates…

145. Potential Candidates…
The Bush Effect
Selection of
Sarah Palin by John McCain
Potential Candidates…

146. Potential Candidates…
Election Results—Barack Obama/Joe Biden defeat John McCain/Sarah Palin in a solid victory.
Obama’s solid victory also propelled a greater majority for the Democrats in Congress.
Potential Candidates…

147. Obama/Biden 365    McCain/Palin 173

148. Election of 2012
Romney vs Obama

149. Potential Candidates…
Background—President Obama’s first term in office was marked by both success and challenges.
Success—Assassination of Bin Laden,
Challenges—Health Care reform, Economic recovery
Potential Candidates…

150. Potential Candidates…
Democrats:Barack Obama
Republicans:
Mitt Romney—Former Governor of Mass., Candidate in 2008
Herman Cain-Businessman
Ron Paul—Congressman from Texas
Potential Candidates…

151. Potential Candidates…
Candidates(Republicans)
Mitt Romney—Former
Governor of Mass.,
Herman Cain-Businessman
Ron Paul—Congressman from
Texas
Potential Candidates…

152. Potential Candidates…
Newt Gingrich—Former
Speaker of the House
Rick Santorum—Former Senator from Pennsylvania
After a hard fought primary, Romneyemerged with the Republican Nomination
Potential Candidates…

153. Potential Candidates…
Key Events/Issues:
Economy
Continue Obama’s legacy?
Romney’s faith
Obama argued that he hadn’t had enough time to fix the economic mess he inherited, Romney argued that Obama hadn’t done enough.
Potential Candidates…

154. Potential Candidates…
Obama asked for more time in the same way FDR did in 1936.
Election Results—Barack Obama/Joe Biden defeat Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan in a close victory.
Obama’s was able to achieve re-election despite a sluggish economy.
Potential Candidates…

155. Potential Candidates…
Obama/Biden 332
Romney/Ryan 206