1988 Presidential Election

The 1980 Republican Candidate

George Herbert Walker Bush was billed by the Republican Party as "the most qualified man of our times." Bush's experience began with his heroic service as a naval aviator in WWII and ended as the sitting Vice President. In between, George Bush was an oil company leader, Congressman, Ambassador to the United Nations, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, and Director of the CIA.

The 1980 Democrat Candidate

Michael Dukakis was considered a strong political candidate with solid experience and poise. Dukakis was a lawyer and Army veteran who served in the Massachusetts Legislature before winning the Governorship of the state. Elected to three non-consecutive terms, Dukakis faced budget and tax issues in his first term that cost him the party nomination in 1978. After writing a book and teaching at Harvard, he successfully re-earned the nomination and election win in 1982. Over the next eight years, Massachusetts experience financial prosperity that was the basis for his presidential candidacy in 1988. Famous "Dukakis in the tank" photo.

Source: Wikipedia Commons.

1988 Presidential Election Polls

Below is a sample of major national poll results for the 1980 Presidential Election. Michael Dukakis held a clear lead through the Democratic National Convention held in July. After the Republican Convention in August, Bush flipped the polling data.

Statistics compiled from polling agencies noted. StudySmarter Original.

Key Issues in the 1980 Presidential Election

Bush focused on the continuation of Reagan policies and the maintenance of a strong economy and enhanced international standing. After years of lower taxes, reduced inflation, increased employment, and reduced nuclear tension, Bush needed to stand on the Reagan platform but also offer new proposals. The Bush campaign pledged to reduce crime in America's cities and highlighted his opponent's record on crime as an example of failed "Massachusetts liberal" policies. George Bush also proposed a fight against homelessness, illiteracy, and bigotry. A practical economic plan connected with a sensible domestic agenda was planned. Dukakis pledged to follow his track record in Massachusetts on a national scale. Late in his campaign, he embraced his liberal views and expressed more populist ideas.

1988 Presidential Election Results

The Results were in favor of Bush. Below you can find a map of the results in the different states and listing of the votes for each candidate.

Map of the 1988 Presidential Election

1988 U.S. Presidential Election Results. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

1988 Presidential Election Electoral College Votes

426 112

Bush - Quayle | Dukakis - Bentsen

1988 Presidential Election Statistics

1988 Presidential Election Significance

The continuation of Reagan-era policies would continue under George H. W. Bush. Most notably, the end of the Cold War occurred with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the reunification of Germany in 1990, and the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. On the economic side, Bush's campaign promise of "no new taxes" proved to be false as rising budget deficits caused the candidate to reverse course once in office. This was the last election in which a candidate won over 400 electoral votes and a party won three consecutive terms. Interestingly, this was the first election since 1836 when a sitting Vice-President was elected President. All other Vice-presidents had been elected after leaving the office or assumed the Presidency due to the death of the elected President.