Demoralized after two straight losses to the Democrats in presidential elections, the Republicans had sensed a vulnerability in Clinton, especially following the 1994 Congressional elections. Due to the Republican Congressional leadership's miscalculations, however, Clinton recovered, and was the front-runner to obtain re-election in 1996. Jack Kemp decided not to enter the primaries, choosing instead to remain retired, as did his 1992 running mate Dick Cheney, then CEO of a major oil corporation based in Texas. Also Texas Governor George W. Bush son of former President George H.W. Bush decided not to join the race. However, conservative firebrand Pat Buchanan, Governor Pete Wilson of California, Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, and Senators Phil Gramm and Ross Perot both from Texas a