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U.S. presidential election, 1988

Presidential CandidateElectoral Vote Popular Vote Pct Party Running Mate
(Electoral Votes)
George H. W. Bush of Texas (W) 426 47,946,000 Republican James Danforth Quayle of Indiana (426)
Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts 111 41,016,000 Democrat Lloyd Bentsen of Texas (111)
Lloyd Bentsen of Texas 1 Democrat Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts (1)
Ron Paul 432,179 Libertarian Andre V. Marrou
Lenora B. Fulani 217,219 New Alliance
Other
Total 91,591,486 100.0%
Other elections: 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000
Source: U.S. Office of the Federal Register


The election was held on November 8, 1988.

The 1988 presidential election was a wide open primary for both major parties. Ronald Reagan, the incumbant president, was vacating the position after serving the maximum two terms allowed by the Twenty-Second Amendment.

Table of contents
1 Democratic Primary
2 Republican Primary
3 General Election
4 Results

Democratic Primary

Having been badly defeated in the 1984 presidential election, the Democrats were eager to find a new approach to the presidency. Among the field of candidates were the following:

In early 1987, Senator Gary Hart was the clear frontrunner in the field (Democratic party efforts to recruit New York Governor Mario Cuomo aside). Hart had put in a strong showing in the 1984 presidential election, and had refined his campaign in the intervening years.

However, questions about extramarital affairs dogged the charismatic candidate. An exasperated Hart challenged the press to tail him. The Miami Herald did exactly that, to uncover damaging evidence of an affair with 29-year-old model Donna Rice, getting a photograph of Rice sitting on Hart's lap. On May 8, 1987, a week after the Donna Rice story broke, Hart dropped out of the race.

In December of 1987, Hart returned to the race. However the damage had been done.

Republican Primary

Notable quote: George H. W. Bush: "Read my lips: no new taxes"

General Election

Results

A West Virginia elector voted for Bentsen as President and Dukakis as Vice President in order to make a statement against the U.S. Electoral College.

See also: President of the United States, U.S. presidential election, 1988, History of the United States (1980-present)

zh-cn:1988年美国总统选举