It's not a perfect reflection by any means, but there are some interesting parallels on the surface. A few strange things have coalesced that make the current presidential race compare to 1996. Read on.
-A Democratic incumbent, seen as vulnerable in the early stages, whom Rush Limbaugh deems a socialist.
-The GOP nominates someone relatively moderate (Dole/Romney), who has to placate the right wing by picking a more conservative policy-oriented Congressman (Kemp/Ryan).
-Newt Gingrich is hemming and hawing about welfare reform, and otherwise stealing air from the rest of us.
-The Republicans in Congress stage a fight in the previous year about funding, with government shutdown looming (except it happened in '95).
-The midterms saw a GOP landslide, giving them control of Congress.
-It's the most expensive election in history.
-A fiery right winger (Buchanan/Santorum) wins early GOP primaries, but ultimately loses to the establishment pick later on.
-The previous president was named George Bush.
Just to name a few. Of course our military and economic situations were far different then, but some of the parallels are kind of strange. Please discuss!