1988
The 1988 U.S. presidential election was won by George H. W. Bush (Republican) with 426 of 538 electoral votes, defeating Michael Dukakis (Democratic). Electoral vote margin: 315 EV, popular-vote margin +7.7%; turnout 52.8%. The cycle falls in the Cold War Realignment era of American electoral history.
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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