George H.W. Bush
George Bush, a New England aristocrat partially transplanted to Texas, entered politics after
almost two decades in the oil business. He was born on 12 June 1924 in Massachusetts, and
grew up in a wealthy New York suburb.
Bush followed his father’s example in switching from financial success in business to politics.
He was and unsuccessful Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate from Texas in 1964 and
1970, was elected to the House of Representatives in 1966 and again in 1968. After losing the
race for the Senate in 1970, Bush was appointed by Presidents Nixon and Ford to a succession
of important positions: U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, chairman of the RNC, liaison
to China, and director of the CIA. In January 1977 Bush resigned as head of the CIA and
returned to Texas, where he began campaigning for the presidency in 1978. However, he lost
the nomination to the more glamorous and conservative Ronald Reagan, who later picked him
to be his running mate for the office of vice-president. The Reagan-Bush ticket won easily in
1980, and 1984.
Michael Dukakis
Michael Dukakis’s political strength, and the reason he won the Democratic nomination in
1988, was the fact that very different kinds of Democrats and liberals could project their
hopes onto him. At heart, the Governor of Massachusetts was an old-style Democrat.
Dukakis’s style was that of the upper-middle-class reformers who were now so important to
the Democratic nominating process. Yet Dukakis was also a Greek American, the “son of
immigrants,” as he would say over and over. His approach to government was intensely
serious and mistrustful of politics-as-usual.
Table of Contents
- The Race for the White House
- George Bush - The Reagan Heir
- Campaign Strategies
- The Bush Platform
Objectives and Key Themes
This text analyzes the 1988 U.S. Presidential election between George H.W. Bush and Michael Dukakis. It aims to examine the candidates' backgrounds, the nominating processes, campaign strategies, and the overall political landscape of the time.
- The contrasting political backgrounds and strategies of Bush and Dukakis.
- The role of the Republican and Democratic nominating processes in shaping the election.
- The effectiveness of the Bush campaign's negative advertising strategy.
- The importance of the "Reagan legacy" in Bush's campaign.
- The shifting political landscape within the Republican party.
Chapter Summaries
The Race for the White House: This chapter sets the stage for the 1988 election, drawing parallels to the 1960 election. It highlights the perception of the Republican administration as losing momentum, contrasting it with the Democrats' perceived potential for the future. The chapter details the relatively uneventful Republican primary, showcasing Bush's frontrunner status and the significance of "Super Tuesday" in securing his nomination. It also introduces Michael Dukakis as the Democratic nominee, emphasizing his moderate stance and the public opinion polls favoring him initially. The chapter establishes the initial political dynamics and the contrasting positions of both candidates.
George Bush - The Reagan Heir: This chapter delves into George H.W. Bush's political journey, highlighting the doubts about his conservative credentials within the Republican party. It emphasizes the crucial support of President Reagan and Bush's strategy of balancing loyalty to Reagan's policies with a more moderate appeal ("kinder, gentler America"). The chapter describes his primary challenge from Bob Dole and his eventual selection of Dan Quayle as his running mate, a strategic move to appeal to the conservative wing of the party. The chapter shows the internal conflicts and strategic maneuvering within the Republican party leading up to the election.
Campaign Strategies: This chapter analyzes the contrasting campaign strategies employed by both Bush and Dukakis. It details the sophisticated negative advertising campaign orchestrated by Lee Atwater and Jim Pinkerton for the Bush campaign, which effectively targeted Dukakis's perceived weaknesses. Conversely, it highlights the Dukakis campaign's attempts to counter negative attacks and his ultimately unsuccessful attempts at public relations, such as the infamous tank photo op. The chapter provides a detailed look at the strategic decisions, their impact, and the negative tone of the campaign.
The Bush Platform: This chapter examines Bush's political platform and strategy in the 1988 election. It explores Bush's strengths in detail and his lack of a comprehensive vision for the future, contrasting with the public's desire for change. The chapter emphasizes Bush's loyalty to Reagan and his understanding of the importance of the conservative Republican base, particularly the Religious Right. The chapter highlights Bush's strategic reliance on his experience and his deft handling of the Republican party's internal dynamics.
Keywords
1988 U.S. Presidential Election, George H.W. Bush, Michael Dukakis, Republican Party, Democratic Party, Campaign Strategies, Negative Advertising, Reagan Legacy, Political Landscape, Nominating Process, Super Tuesday.
1988 U.S. Presidential Election: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of this text?
This text analyzes the 1988 U.S. Presidential election between George H.W. Bush and Michael Dukakis. It examines the candidates' backgrounds, the nominating processes, campaign strategies, and the overall political landscape of that time.
What key themes are explored?
Key themes include the contrasting political backgrounds and strategies of Bush and Dukakis; the role of the Republican and Democratic nominating processes; the effectiveness of Bush's negative advertising; the "Reagan legacy" in Bush's campaign; and the shifting political landscape within the Republican party.
What does the chapter "The Race for the White House" cover?
This chapter sets the scene for the 1988 election, comparing it to the 1960 election. It discusses the Republican primary, Bush's frontrunner status, "Super Tuesday," and the Democratic nomination of Michael Dukakis. It establishes the initial political dynamics and contrasting positions of both candidates.
What is discussed in "George Bush - The Reagan Heir"?
This chapter details George H.W. Bush's political journey, highlighting doubts about his conservative credentials and his strategy of balancing loyalty to Reagan with a moderate appeal. It covers his primary challenge from Bob Dole and his choice of Dan Quayle as his running mate.
What are the main points of "Campaign Strategies"?
This chapter analyzes the contrasting campaign strategies of Bush and Dukakis. It focuses on the Bush campaign's sophisticated negative advertising and the Dukakis campaign's less successful counter-strategies, such as the infamous tank photo op.
What does "The Bush Platform" examine?
This chapter examines Bush's political platform and strategy, highlighting his strengths and lack of a comprehensive vision. It emphasizes his loyalty to Reagan and his understanding of the importance of the conservative Republican base.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include: 1988 U.S. Presidential Election, George H.W. Bush, Michael Dukakis, Republican Party, Democratic Party, Campaign Strategies, Negative Advertising, Reagan Legacy, Political Landscape, Nominating Process, Super Tuesday.
What is the overall structure of the provided document?
The document provides a comprehensive preview, including a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It's designed to give a structured overview of the 1988 presidential election analysis.
What type of audience is this text intended for?
The text is intended for academic use, supporting the analysis of themes in a structured and professional manner.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2004, The U.S. Presidential Elections 1988, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/153852
