Moreover, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Bush's strong suit -- foreign policy -- was seen as an ancillary issue.

"In the history of elections in this country at the national level, it is very normal for there to just be a few issues discusses," Erickson said. "When there are no crises or major issues on the world stage, the economy becomes the big issue. How candidates talk about other issues depends on how they can tie those issues into the big thematic, overarching issue of the campaign."