Old Man Bush did have the country behind him after the Gulf War, but when election/campaign time came rolling around I had the sense the Old Man Bush just didn't want to be President again. He didn't have his heart in the campaign. HIS lack of enthusiasm translated ito a lack of enthusiasm for the GOP: for his campaign workers and for his constituents. I think Old Man Bush was just Burned Out. He was VP under Reagan for two terms and he was the Big Cheese for one term.
I know the mantra was, "Its The Economy Stupid!", and maybe I am mis-remembering but the economy isn't why I thought he lost in '92. I thought it was because Perot excited a big chunk of the electorate, and Old Man Bush just bored the crowd, and Clinton won with his wanker staying out-of-sight.
I voted for Perot because Old Man Bush didn't want to be president - Perhaps Old Man Bush did lose because of the economy, but I am not convinced (although Perot did pound on Bush because of the deficits)
Its interesting for me to remember that Newt and the GOP back then co-opted Perot's list of priorities and relabeled them as the "Contract with America". I may not know the whole story, but I like the "Little General" more than I like Bush 41.
I don't think W. will let the "Economy" be his downfall....and now its the 'RATs who have to worry about a 3rd party spoiler. The 'RATs are split right now - and if they're licking their chops anticipating the self-distruction of this President Bush, then they will find that they have ignored the signs that foreshadow their own defeat in 2004.....(watch Rev. Al Sharpton)