On November 8, 1994, U.S. President Bill Clinton watched as his party was buried by a GOP landslide in mid-term elections. The Democratic Party had lost control of both houses of Congress. Clinton saw it as a stinging rebuke to his policies -- "we were held accountable, " he said. It might have seemed that a Republican era had arrived.
On November 5, 1996, Bill Clinton, his arms around his wife Hillary and daughter Chelsea, basked in the glow of an Electoral College triumph.
He had won 31 states and 379 electoral votes. Republican Bob Dole had won 19 states and 159 electoral votes. But even with Clinton's decisive victory the Democrats were not able to undo 1994. Republicans stayed in control of Congress.
The presidential campaign held little suspense, and apparently little interest for the majority of the public -- voter turnout was the lowest in decades, less than 49 percent. President Clinton had maintained a wide lead in the polls all year. The only suspense might have been whether he would win a majority -- he didn't -- or whether Ross Perot would be a factor -- he wasn't.
Still, given the dramatic reversal of Clinton's fortunes since Election Day 1994, it is interesting to consider exactly why he won, and whether Dole could have done anything to win. Exit polling showed the healthy economy was a major plus, and well as his popularity with women voters-- Bob Dole never overcame his gender gap. But more than half questioned Clinton's trustworthiness, and half said they had reservations about their choice.
We asked members of CNN political team to give their thoughts on the election. To find out what they said you can click on the questions below.