It was 30 years ago today that San Antonio welcomed the Democrat Presidential candidates Bill Clinton and Al Gore to town. The day began with a 7:30am fundraiser at the Hyatt Regency Hotel with the party faithfuls, and this was followed by a boat ride along the San Antonio Riverwalk to the Arneson River Theater.
Ann Richards, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Tipper Gore and Lloyd Bentsen during the Riverwalk tour. Photo courtesy of Stephen Savoia / AP/ Shutterstock
However, the river tour was not without incident when a spectator jumped into the San Antonio river to deliver a message to Bill Clinton. He was later arrested.
Photo courtesy of Farmington Daily Times
Photo courtesy of Cumberland Times News
In front of an estimated 2,000 supporters at the open air venue, a rally was held featuring running mate Al Gore, former San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros, Texas Governor Ann Richards and Senator Lloyd Bentsen…along with a mariachi band.
Photograph courtesy of Ron Heflin / AP/ Shutterstock
Bill Clinton addressing the crowd at the Arneson River Theater…….Shutterstock
Photo…..Shutterstock
Bill Clinton flanked by Al Gore, Henry Cisneros, Lloyd Bentsen and Ann Richards. Photo…..Superstock
As reported in the New York Times, Bill Clinton said, “There are lots of things that I want to do that will be good for Texas. I’m going to revitalize the energy industry by emphasizing natural gas production and getting more reliance on domestic production, by conservation and by less reliance on foreign oil.”
He also said, “If the people of this state look at who is really like them, and cares about them, who has got a plan to address their problems, then we will win.”
Governor Ann Richards was cheered when she used the Spanish word for “enough” and said, “Basta George Bush.”
Actor Tommy Lee Jones, a Harvard college friend of Al Gore, also spoke at the rally.
Courtesy of Odessa American
Following the rally on the Riverwalk, the entourage of 10 buses headed up IH35 to Austin for more campaign appearances. However, on the way, they made a brief stop at San Marcos, and also a visit to Canyon High School in New Braunfels, where the candidates spoke to a crowd of 1,500 outside the school for 30 minutes.
The American presidential election held a little over 2 months after the San Antonio visit, on Nov. 3, 1992, and there Democrat Bill Clinton defeated incumbent Republican President George Bush. Independent candidate Ross Perot secured nearly 19 percent of the vote—the highest percentage of any third-party candidate in a U.S. presidential election in 80 years.
Sources:
Seguin Gazette Enterprise
Arlington Heights Daily Herald
Washington Post
New York Times
Santa Ana Orange County Register
Follow My Blog:
Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.
Memories of San Antonio 