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Four More Years

In Little Rock, Arkansas, fire works lit up the night sky as thousands gathered for a victory party. A delighted President Bill Clinton stood before his cheering supporters outside the statehouse. "A vast new century lies before us," he said. "It will be a time more full of opportunity for people to live out their dreams than any in human history."

Almost a thousand miles away, in a Washington hotel ballroom, Bob Dole choked back tears as he thanked his campaign workers. "It's a lot more fun winning," said Dole. "It hurts to lose an election." Dole has served his country for more than 35 years. He promised to continue working for a better America and urged his supporters to "stay involved."

It was a historic election. For the first time since 1936, a Democratic President had been re-elected to office. Bill Clinton is the first two-term Democrat since Franklin D. Roosevelt. Clinton had hoped to get 50% of the popular vote. He fell 1% short of his goal. But he won 31 states, including giant California, and earned 379 Electoral College votes.

What made the difference for Clinton? Young voters, women and minorities played a big role in his victory. Among women, 54% supported Clinton; while 38% voted for Dole. The gap was even bigger--19%--among voters from age 18 to 29. But Dole did better than Clinton with white male voters.

Although Dole received 41% of the popular vote (more than many had expected), he got only 159 electoral votes. Ross Perot came away with only 8% and no electoral votes.

The Republicans failed to win the White House, but they had plenty to celebrate. For the first time since 1930, a Republican Congress had been re-elected. The Republicans gained two Senate seats, but lost a few seats in the House of Representatives.

The President's Plans
The last days of the campaign were exhausting for both candidates. Dole ended his race with a round-the-clock marathon. At the top of his schedule, Dole had written, "Nonstop, nonstop, nonstop." Clinton matched Dole with an 18-state final tour. All along the way the President spoke to voters of a "bright future."

There are plenty of bright spots in the President's future. He will begin his second term with a booming economy. The unemployment rate is at its lowest point in 28 years. In the next four years, Clinton hopes to achieve some key goals. He wants the government to stop overspending; he hopes to improve U.S. schools and continue to reform the welfare system.

But some obstacles stand in his way. Clinton's Administration faces continuing investigations into how it has handled some business and political dealings. And Clinton will be working with a new staff. At least seven top advisers, including Secretary of State Warren Christopher, Secretary of Labor Robert Reich and Secretary of Defense William Perry, have decided to resign.

On Election Day, American voters sent a message to their leaders. President Clinton says the people's message is clear: "Work together, meet our challenges, put aside the politics of division and build America's community together."

The electoral vote
Clinton 379
Dole 159

The popular vote
Clinton 49%
Dole 41%
Perot 8%

Next: Yeltsin's On The Mend. Is Russia?