Clinton Wins Second Term
Clinton showed strength in every region of the country as he became the first Democratic President to be re-elected since Franklin Roosevelt in 1936.
Republicans were battling to keep control of the 100-member Senate and the House of Representatives.
Presidential victories in 25 states and the District of Columbia gave Clinton 291 electoral votes -- it takes 270 to win the White House -- and he had high hopes in western states where polls were still open.
US Presidents are not elected by popular vote but by electoral delegates chosen on a winner-take-all basis. Delegates are apportioned to the states according to population. Reform Party candidate Ross Perot was finishing a distant third, well below his 19 per cent tally in 1992.
"Bob Dole has completed his last political mission with courage and honour," Republican campaign press secretary Nelson Warfield said. "Even in defeat, he has much to claim in the way of success." The Dole campaign later said the statement was issued prematurely.