Reagan quickly responded to the questions about his endorsement by issuing a more forceful statement of his unqualified support for Bush.Īfter beating back a primary challenge from Senator Bob Dole, Bush started to campaign in earnest against Michael Dukakis, Democratic governor of Massachusetts. In May, Reagan finally endorsed Bush for president but did so in a message that some journalist observers thought-or maybe wanted to believe-was lukewarm and not heartfelt. He consciously sought to craft this image throughout the campaign. Many Americans thought Bush looked tough and plain-talking as he hoped. When CBS anchor Dan Rather ambushed Bush with questions about his role in Iran-Contra in what was supposed to be a softball piece, he flexed his muscles and fought back with a combative reminder of an embarrassing incident when Rather stormed off a television set. He was seen to be too soft to handle the challenges of the presidency including standing up to the Russians.
The third was the charge-made first by journalist Evan Thomas on the cover of Newsweek-that Bush was “fighting the wimp factor.” This was a less tangible charge and therefore more difficult to deflect. As a former fighter pilot, congressman, ambassador to the UN, envoy to China, head of the Republican National Committee, and director of the CIA before becoming vice-president, the charge was almost ludicrous. The recent Iran-Contra hearings had damaged the Reagan presidency and fed the partisanship.Ī second obstacle was that some in the media charged that Bush had not done very much of note as vice-president and was thereby not experienced or qualified enough to be president.
Americans were split over that legacy with conservatives wanting to build on his economic and foreign policy achievements in the Cold War, while liberals wanted to stop a third consecutive term by a conservative Republican. The first was that Bush’s election seemed to be a referendum on eight years of the Reagan presidency. Bush had three significant obstacles to overcome if he wanted to be elected president in 1988. Tips from Past “We The Future” Contest Winners!Ī Thousand Points of Light: George H.W.
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