Two potentially very important yet contradictory dynamics seemed to begin playing out in June, and the dominance of one factor or the other could easily determine the outcome of the Presidential election. Starting in about the third week of June, the cumulative effect of the mounting Whitewater/Filegate allegations finally began registering in public opinion polls. The President's job approval ratings sagged and his lead over former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (R) shrank from the high 'teens to the low 'teens in numerous national surveys. While the President did not suffer a free fall, it was the first significant change in the margin of this race since early April, and the closing clearly was due to the President's legal/ethical troubles. Indeed, Dole and his campaign continued to spin their wheels through most of June, without gaining any real traction.
Toward the end of the month, however, the damage resulting from an off-hand remark by Dole questioning the health risks related to tobacco began to escalate, becoming a symbol to many voters that Dole is either out of touch or an
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