(2 of 2)
With Clinton's apparent bump in the polls stemming at least partly from several weeks of bad press for both Bush and Perot, the Arkansas Governor prudently stuck to his low-profile strategy. He concentrated instead on choosing a running mate and seemed to be narrowing his focus to two well- respected Capitol Hill veterans: Tennessee Senator Al Gore, who has strong defense and environment credentials, and Indiana's veteran Congressman Lee Hamilton, a foreign policy expert regarded as one of the House of Representatives' wisest heads. If the job goes to either man instead of an upstart newcomer like Pennsylvania Senator Harris Wofford or Nebraska Senator Bob Kerrey, Clinton will be betting that even in a "weird" political year, more voters value Washington experience than resent it.
Late last week, when Bush -- as expected -- vetoed the "motor voter" bill that would have required all states to allow voter registration when citizens apply for drivers' licenses or government benefits, Clinton was ready with a quip. "With 10 million Americans out of work," he said, "no wonder the President doesn't want to make it easier to vote." Bush's argument that the bill was needlessly bureaucratic and open to fraud was expected, but oh so uncomfortable in a season of such discontent.
CHART: NOT AVAILABLE
CREDIT: NO CREDIT
CAPTION: Unemployment
Discount rate