Bush 's approval ratings were around 80 percent during the Gulf War , and he was described as unbeatable . When Bush compromised with Democrats to try to lower Federal deficits , he reneged on his promise not to raise taxes , which hurt his approval rating . Clinton repeatedly condemned Bush for making a promise he failed to keep . By election time , the economy was souring and Bush saw his approval rating plummet to just slightly over 40 percent . Finally , conservatives were previously united by anti-communism , but with the end of the Cold War , the party lacked a uniting issue . When Pat Buchanan and Pat Robertson addressed Christian themes at the Republican National Convention — with Bush criticizing Democrats for omitting God from their platform — many moderates were alienated . Clinton then pointed to his moderate , " New Democrat " record as governor of Arkansas , though some on the more liberal side of the party remained suspicious . Many Democrats who had supported Ronald Reagan and Bush in previous elections switched their support to Clinton . Clinton and his running mate , Al Gore , toured the country during the final weeks of the campaign , shoring up support and pledging a " new beginning "
Republican National Convention
1992 Republican National Convention
Bill Clinton