Were the end of the Clinton and Bush presidencys this brazenly electioneering?

[gergroy]

Mr Khan said:

NintendoPie said:
I don't even know why People dying and bombs going off in other countries gets people over here all riled up to vote for the person who made dropping those bombs an action/order...

It's called the "rally around the flag" effect. essentially, in a time of crisis, people will gravitate towards existing authority figures in a way that enhances their legitimacy. It only works if the leaders' response to the crisis is appropriate, however. If they bungle, then they're sunk more surely than if the effect weren't in play.

essentially the whole reason W. got reelected