Ronald Reagan was a very popular president, and even though he was almost 77 years old by the time he left office, America still loved him. Even though some negative things had happened near the end of his second term, like the Iran-Contra affair, Reagan was able to come through the tough times. The economy had turned around, and life seemed to be good. The Soviet Union was on the verge of collapse, and it appeared the Berlin Wall may fall soon. Heading into the 1988 election, Republicans decided to go with Reagan's vice president, George Herbert Walker Bush. Even though Bush was more moderate than Reagan, he managed to drum up a lot of support due to Reagan's popularity. A young Congressman from Indiana, Dan Quayle, was chosen to run with Bush on the ticket. The Democrats had suffered a huge defeat in 1984, with Walter Mondale only winning one state. Congress also saw a turn towards the Democrats in the 1986 mid term, as the party captured the Senate. When the convention met, the race was down to Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis and Civil Rights leader Jesse Jackson. Dukakis eventually won the nomination, choosing Lloyd Bentsen from Texas to be his running mate. Some of the campaign issues for Dukakis involved trying to implicate Bush with Iran-Contra and for being a hawk with foreign policy. Bush tried to show Dukakis as being a far left liberal, freeing prisoners such as Willie Horton, who later murdered someone after being released temporarily. Bush also performed well in the debates and made Dukakis look relatively weak and inexperienced. On election day, Bush carried 40 states, with a little over 53% of the popular vote, continuing Reagan's legacy. In office, Bush drifted more towards the political center, raising taxes and going against some more conservative legislation. One of the most memorable events during Bush's presidency was the collapse of the Berlin Wall, a significant gesture in bringing an end to the Cold War. Berlin would be reunited. Also, the Gulf War started and ended in 1991 during Bush's term, when Iraq and Saddam Hussein invaded neighboring Kuwait. A UN force was sent in and freed Kuwait, and this was a very popular and decisive war in America's favor, briefly inflating Bush's poll numbers. One of the most memorable phrases from Bush's term was in the acceptance speech for the nomination in 1988, when he said "Read my lips: No new taxes." Ultimately, Bush signed into law new taxes, in part because of the deficit. Heading into the 1992 election, that phrase would come back to haunt Bush. Campaign items from this election are fairly easy to find and very affordable. Bush/Quayle word pins and most jugate buttons are less than $10. For Dukakis, the same holds true. The only rare Bush or Dukakis items involve single day events or buttons made in a limited quantity. I have included some of my most favorite items. Two posters, some buttons, and a large 6" Dukakis button.
Outside of my 75+ Dukakis pins, I have a fair number of GOP hopeful items from '88. I love how from 1976-present pins become very affordable if you are not looking for the rare of the rare items.
ReplyDeleteI would even say that many sellers online sell some of their pins for way more than they are worth...5.00 for a single Bush or Dukakis vendor produced pin is way too much.