President George H.W. Bush

Exploring American HistoryUnit VIII - 1970’s - Today

Election of 1988 • Election of 1988

– Candidates:• Republican- George W. Bush• Democrat- Michael Dukakis

– Issues - Problems of the Reagan administration. Iran-Contra Affair.

– Campaign- • Bush controversy in choosing Dan

Quayle as V.P. • Dukakis snubs Jessie Jackson (Black)

for Bentsen. • Willie Horton and Dukakis• Very Negative campaign with a

number of Political Action Committees (PAC) money.

– Outcome- Bush wins 54% to 46%, but the Democrats won the majority in Congress.

President George H. W. Bush

• 41st President- 1989-1993- Republican

• Who was he?• Inauguration Speech

– “Read my lips. No new taxes.”

– “Thousand points of light” volunteers

– Campaign against drugs.

• Problems faced– Large budget deficit and national

debt that had tripled under Reagan– Savings and Loan collapse- $500

Billion from taxpayers to cover losses.– Energy department cleanup of

nuclear waste- $200 billion– Exxon Valdez oil spill

President George H. W. Bush

• Foreign Affairs and Problems– End of Cold War and changes in Europe.– Tianamen Square in China– Berlin Wall falls– START I signed– Invasion of Panama- “Operation Just Cause”– Persian Gulf War- “Operation Desert Storm”-

38 days and 100 hours on the ground.– Lifts sanctions against South Africa– Aid package to former Soviet Union.

• Domestic Affairs and Problems– Bush raises taxes– Inflation soaring– Anti- Drug Laws– Americans with Disabilities Act– Bill to reduce federal budget– Fair labor standards amendment– Immigration Act of 1990

Operation Desert Storm• August 2 Iraq invades Kuwait.August 2 Iraq invades Kuwait.

• August 5 President Bush declares invasion "will not August 5 President Bush declares invasion "will not stand."stand."

• November 29 UN Security Council authorizes use of November 29 UN Security Council authorizes use of "all means necessary" to eject Iraq from Kuwait."all means necessary" to eject Iraq from Kuwait.

• January 12 Congress authorizes use of force.January 12 Congress authorizes use of force.

• January 17 Allied attack begins with January 17 Allied attack begins with Apache strike strike at 2:38 A.M.at 2:38 A.M.

• February 24 Ground attack begins. Schwarzkopf February 24 Ground attack begins. Schwarzkopf decides to accelerate main attack of VII Corps by decides to accelerate main attack of VII Corps by fifteen hours.fifteen hours.

• February 26 Iraqis flee Kuwait City. VII Corps hits February 26 Iraqis flee Kuwait City. VII Corps hits Republican Guard in Battle of 73 Easting. February Republican Guard in Battle of 73 Easting. February 28 Cease-fire takes effect at 8 A.M.28 Cease-fire takes effect at 8 A.M.

• June 8 Victory parade in Washington.June 8 Victory parade in Washington.

Election of 1992

• Election of 1992– Candidates:

• Republican- George W. Bush• Democrat- William Clinton• Reform Party- Ross Perot

– Issues - primarily around economic issues and the end of the Cold War.

– Campaign-• The third party candidacy of Ross

Perot was a true wild card in the campaign. Perot, a self made billionaire, ran a one-issue campaign - deficit reduction.

• Clinton’s image of youth convinced many to vote for him.

– Outcome- Clinton wins close race 43%to 38% and 370 electoral to 168.