Bill Clinton benefited from one of the largest bumps in history after the Democratic National Convention in 1992 , climbing by as many as 30 points in the polls , however this was assisted by Independent Ross Perot , who at the time was polling at 20 % , withdrawing from the race during the Democratic convention . Then-President George H.W. Bush 's convention bounce was weak by comparison , some party leaders blaming former primary challenger Pat Buchanan 's fiery and divisive speech , which aired in primetime due to a scheduling delay . Four years later , Bob Dole got a big bounce after the Republican convention , but quickly fizzled . However , Al Gore 's 2000 bounce endured for weeks . Prior to the Democratic convention , Gore was behind Texas Gov. George W. Bush by as many as 16 points , but was in a statistical tie with the Republican the weekend after his acceptance speech . To the bafflement of political pundits , Democratic candidate John Kerry did not get a convention bounce in 2004 , despite the unpopularity of incumbent George W. Bush
Democratic convention
2000 Democratic National Convention
Convention bounce