President Dole

President Bob Dole was elected in 1996 with his running mate Jack Kemp, ending Bill Clinton's short 4-year term as president.

Economic Policy
As part of his "growth plan" Bob Dole instituted the largest tax cuts in American history. This yielded the expected results. The economic growth seen under the Clinton administration more than doubled, and unemployment decreased to less than 4 percent. The budget deficit closed.

Foreign Policy
In 1999 after talks fail to resolve the crisis in Kosovo and end the genocide President Dole supports NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in spite of some opposition from Democrats and even a few conservatives.

2000 Election
The Democratic Party nominated Bill Bradley with Bob Kerry for his running mate. Dole decided for health resons not to run for re-election. First Lady Elizabeth Dole briefly considerd running but soon drooped the idea. The Republicans nominated Vice President Kemp with Florida Governor Jeb Bush as his running-mate. Since the economy had soured under Dole, Kemp won the election with 52 percent of the popular vote and 300 electoral votes.

Kemp's First Term
President Kemp increased the tax cuts of the Dole administration. He also pushes a program through Congress to create a Flat Tax of 15 percent.

2001 Terrorist Attempt
In August of 2001 President Kemp receives a document titled "Osama bin Laden Determined to Strike in the United States". He immediately orders an investigation, and heightened security at airports and prominent buildings. At the beginning of September 19 people are arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit terrorism. A plot is revealed that would've targeted the World Trade Centers, the Pentagon, and the White House. President Kemp asks Congress for authorization to go to invade Afghanistan.

Afghan War
In October the first American forces arrive. Within a few months the Taliban had been defeated. While there is an insurgency in Afghanistan President Kemp concentrates American forces there and Afghanistan has a stable, democratic government by 2004.

2004 Election
The Republican Party renominated Kemp. The Democrats in an attempt to appeal to the moderates, nominated Senator Evan Bayh. However, Kemp won by a landslide due to a mostly positive experience over the last 4 years.

2006 Mid-Term Elections
Republicans gain seats in both houses brining their total to 61 Senate seats and 259 House seats.

2008 Eection
The Republican's nominate Vice President Jeb Bush with Arizona Senator John McCain as his running-mate. The Democrats are in disaray and nominate BNew Mexico Governor Bill Richardson with Massachusetts Senator John Kerry as his VP. That November, Richardson does better than expected but is unable to overcome Bush's commanding lead. The Democrats make gains in the congressional elections but the Republicans retain both houses.