THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 6, 1996 TAG: 9611060594
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: Decision 96
LENGTH: 62 lines
For the first time since Frankin Roosevelt occupied the White House more than half century ago, voters Tuesday rewarded a Democratic president with the ultimate prize: re-election.
Bill Clinton swept to victory by taking credit for a solid economy and shrugging off Bob Dole's pointed attacks on his ethics and character.
But Clinton's triumph won't put the character questions to rest. With Republicans apparently still in control of both houses of Congress, Clinton can expect no respite from investigations into a string of controversies, including Whitewater, the FBI files and suspect campaign contributions.
The success of the president's second term may turn, in large part, on this question: Will Clinton be able to focus on his goals, among them balancing the budget while protecting Medicare, Social Security, education and the environment from excessive spending cuts - or will he be forced to squander his time and energy defending his own conduct?
The Republican Party appeared likely to retain control of both houses of Congress despite President Clinton's strong showing.
Republicans outdid their rivals in Senate races, capturing Democratic seats in Alabama, Arkansas and Nebraska. Democrats held onto seats in New Jersey, Michigan, Massachusetts, Georgia and Illinois and defeated an incumbent Republican in South Dakota.
The balance of power was unchanged in the House, although exit polls suggested the margin could be a dozen seats, the closest since the Eisenhower administration.
For the GOP - and House Speaker Newt Gingrich, in particular - the results are a referendum on their self-described revolution. Gingrich appears likely to keep his pulpit and get a second chance to define a winning set of conservative reforms.
For Clinton, a renewed Republican majority in Congress is likely to limit his ambitions for a second term that he hopes will make him a historic figure.
Virginians remained true to their 28-year streak of backing Republicans in presidential elections.
Bob Dole eked out a victory in the Old Dominion, winning by 2 percentage points.
Hampton Roads was another matter. President Clinton, who lost the region four years ago, led on Tuesday night with 49 percent to Dole's 43 percent.
Dole did well among voters who considered character a paramount issue. But many voters did not buy Dole's claim that the Clinton administration had botched the economy. Three-fourths of voters surveyed said they thought Virginia's economy was as good as it was four years ago - or better. ILLUSTRATION: Color file photo
President Clinton
Graphics
U.S. Congressional Results
How the Vote Went
*Incomplete results at press time
KEYWORDS: PRESIDENTIAL RACE U.S. CONGRESSIONAL RACE
U.S. SENATE RACE RESULTS ELECTION by CNB