George H. W. Bush

George Herbert Walker Bush (born June 12, 1924) was the 41st President of the United States (1989–1993). Previously, he had served as U.S. congressman from Texas (1967–1971), ambassador to the United Nations (1971–1973), Republican National Committee chairman (1973–1974), Director of Central Intelligence (1976–1977), and the 43rd Vice President of the United States under President Ronald Reagan (1981–1989). He is the father of the 43rd and current president, George Walker Bush.

Victory

The Bush-Quayle ticket beat Michael Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen soundly in the Electoral College, by 426 to 111 (Lloyd Bentsen received one vote).

Related Topics:
Michael Dukakis - Lloyd Bentsen - Electoral College

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Bush performed very strongly among suburban voters, perhaps owing to his campaign themes of law and order, puncutated by his criticisms of the Massaschuetts furlough program. This was a boon in several swing states. In Illinois, Bush won 69% in DuPage County and 63% out of Lake County, suburban areas which adjoin Chicago's Cook County. In Pennsylvania, Bush swept the group of suburban counties that surround Philadelphia, including Bucks, Delaware, Chester and Montgomery. Bush also won most of the counties in Maryland, perhaps fallout from the fact that Willie Horton committed his infamous criminal acts there. New Jersey, known at the time for its many suburban voters and its moderate Republicanism, went easily for Bush.

Related Topics:
DuPage County - Lake County - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia - Maryland - New Jersey

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Contrary to the suburbs was the decrease among rural counties, easily falling below the support they gave Reagan in 1980 and 1984. In Illinois, Bush lost a number of downstate counties that previously went for Reagan. He lost the state of Iowa by a surprisingly wide margin, losing counties all across the state even in Republican areas. The rural state of West Virginia remained handily in the Democratic column. Bush also performed weaker in the northern counties of Missouri, making the state a close win. Three typically solid Republican states, Kansas, South Dakota, and Montana, came much closer than usual.

Related Topics:
Illinois - Iowa - West Virginia - Missouri - Kansas - South Dakota - Montana

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Bush's greatest area of strength was in the south, winning most states by wide margins. He also performed very well in the northeast, winning Maine (where he has a residence), New Hampshire (at the time a Republican stronghold), Vermont (a bastion of moderate Republicanism that has since waned), and Connecticut (where his father was a senator). He lost New York, but by a fairly slim margin. He also won Delaware, at the time a swing state. He lost the Pacific northwestern states but kept California in the Republican column for the sixth straight time.

Related Topics:
Maine - New Hampshire - Vermont - Connecticut - New York - Delaware - California

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Although his victory was a landslide, Bush in 1988 was the last Republican to carry certain states which have since gained the reputation as "blue states" that favor the Democratic Party in presidential elections. These states are California, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Vermont, Maryland, New Jersey, Illinois, Connecticut, Maine, and Michigan. New Mexico and Iowa used to be in this category, but George W. Bush won both states in 2004, making him the first Republican to carry them since 1988.

Related Topics:
Blue state - California - Pennsylvania - Delaware - Vermont - Maryland - New Jersey - Illinois - Connecticut - Maine - Michigan - New Mexico - Iowa - George W. Bush

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