1988
George H. W. Bush and the 1988 map
Vice President George H. W. Bush won decisively over Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis by effectively tying himself to Reagan's popular legacy. The campaign is remembered for vicious negative advertising, including the Willie Horton ad attacking Dukakis on crime, and Dukakis's awkward photo in a tank. Dukakis had led in polls after the Democratic convention but faltered in the fall. Bush promised to continue Reaganomics and won the South and much of the Midwest handily.
Reagan legacy; crime (Willie Horton ad); defense; taxes ('Read my lips')
Willie Horton ad pioneered modern negative campaigning; Dukakis tank photo was mocked nationally
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