The impact of economic issues on the successful presidential bid of Bill Clinton was compared with the influence of character and social issues on electoral results. National polling data generated by the American National Election Studies were used to determine the impact of these issues on the outcome of the elections. Electoral results being a reflection of the voters'fears and expectations, it was determined that George Bush lost the elections because of the failure of his current policies and the inability of the Republican Party to offer alternatives. On the other hand, Bill Clinton offered hope for change.