Hello and welcome to another edition of the presidential election series. Today, we’ll be discussing the Election of 1988, a pivotal moment in American politics. As Ronald Reagan’s presidency nears its end, his Vice President, George H.W. Bush, seeks to extend the Republican era by becoming the 41st President of the United States. But in this election, it’s not just about the candidates’ strengths—it’s about making the opponent look worse. What does that mean? Let’s dive in.
The End of the Reagan Era
As President Ronald Reagan’s term winds down by the late 1980s, the economy has rebounded, and the Cold War is showing signs of resolution. Reagan’s popularity seemed unstoppable—until several issues began to emerge. The growing HIV/AIDS crisis, which started in the early 1980s, was initially met with inaction from the Reagan Administration, even as public figures like Rock Hudson contracted the virus. It wasn’t until Hudson’s death in 1986 that the administration began to address the issue more seriously.
In foreign affairs, the U.S. faced criticism for bombing Libya in response to a deadly attack on a West Berlin nightclub. Although the U.S. claimed evidence of Libyan involvement, this was only confirmed decades later. Reagan’s administration also faced scrutiny for secretly supplying arms to Iran and funding the Contras in Nicaragua, a scandal that came to be known as the Iran-Contra Affair. This controversy, involving illegal arms sales and covert operations, became one of Reagan’s most significant scandals.
The Story of Mario Cuomo and Gary Hart
The Democratic Party, buoyed by midterm victories in 1986, entered the 1988 election with renewed confidence. Two prominent names emerged: Mario Cuomo, the Governor of New York, and Gary Hart, the former Senator from Colorado.
Cuomo, celebrated for his keynote speech at the 1984 Democratic National Convention, declined to run for president in 1987, despite strong support. Hart, initially a front-runner, saw his campaign derailed by revelations of an extramarital affair with Donna Rice. Hart suspended his campaign in May 1987, leaving the field open for other Democrats.
The Seven Dwarfs of the Democratic Party
With Hart out, seven major Democrats vied for the nomination:
- Michael Dukakis, Governor of Massachusetts
- Jesse Jackson, Civil Rights Activist & Baptist Minister
- Joseph R. Biden, Senator from Delaware
- Al Gore, Senator from Tennessee
- Bruce Babbitt, Governor of Arizona
- Paul Simon, Senator from Illinois
- Dick Gephardt, U.S. Representative from Missouri
Joe Biden, new to the national stage, faced a plagiarism scandal that led him to suspend his campaign. Dukakis, Jackson, and Gore competed fiercely, with Jackson’s “Rainbow Coalition” winning several primaries. By the 1988 Democratic National Convention, Michael Dukakis secured the nomination, choosing Lloyd Bentsen, a Texas Senator, as his running mate.
Choosing the Republican Nominee
For the Republicans, Vice President George H.W. Bush announced his candidacy in October 1987. Other contenders included Pat Robertson and Bob Dole. Despite a rocky start, Bush emerged as the nominee, famously pledging “Read My Lips: No New Taxes.” He selected Dan Quayle, a young Senator from Indiana, as his running mate, a choice that generated controversy due to Quayle’s inexperience.
Unleashing the Attack Ads
As the campaign unfolded, Bush’s team focused on undermining Dukakis’s image. Negative ads and attacks characterized the campaign. Rumors about Dukakis’s mental health and his handling of crime and the environment were highlighted. Notably, the “Tank Incident,” where Dukakis appeared awkwardly riding in a tank, was used to mock him.
The “Willie Horton” ad, produced by an independent group, focused on a violent crime committed by an inmate released under Dukakis’s furlough program. While not officially associated with the Bush campaign, it was used to frame Dukakis as soft on crime. The “Revolving Door” ad further attacked Dukakis’s record on crime.
Presidential Debates
In the debates, Dukakis struggled to recover from the damage done by the attack ads. The first debate was seen as a draw, but Dan Quayle’s debate performance, including a famous retort by Lloyd Bentsen, was a highlight. In the final debate, Dukakis’s cold and detached response to a question about the death penalty was widely criticized, further damaging his campaign.
The Results
On Election Day, George H.W. Bush decisively won, receiving 426 electoral votes and 53.4% of the popular vote. This victory marked the first time since Martin Van Buren in 1836 that a sitting Vice President became President. Bush’s win was notable for surpassing 400 electoral votes, a feat not achieved again until the 2000s. Michael Dukakis, while improving on previous Democratic performances, received 111 electoral votes and 45.7% of the popular vote. A single faithless elector in West Virginia even cast their vote for Dukakis’s running mate, Lloyd Bentsen.
And so, the Election of 1988 concluded with George H.W. Bush stepping into the White House, promising a “Kinder, Gentler America.” The stage is now set to see how his promises and ideas will fare in the upcoming years, leading into the Election of 1992.
