|
The following History Remixed page is under construction.
Please do not edit or alter this article in any way while this template is active. All unauthorized edits may be reverted on the admin's discretion. Propose any changes to the talk page. |
‹ 1984  1992 ›
| ||||
| 1988 United States presidential election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 8, 1988 | ||||
|
|
|||
| Nominee | Jesse Jackson | Bob Dole | ||
| Party | Democratic | Republican | ||
| Home state | South Carolina | Kansas | ||
| Electoral vote | 283 | 255 | ||
| States carried | 27 + DC | 23 | ||
| Popular vote | 46,944,586 | 40,805,053 | ||
| Percentage | 46.8% | 43.8% | ||
The 1988 United States presidential election was the 51st quadrennial presidential election held on Tuesday, November 8, 1988. The Democratic candidate and civil rights leader from South Carolina Jesse Jackson defeated the Republican candidate, Senator Bob Dole from Kansas in a narrow victory.
Incumbent president Phil Crane was ineligible to seek a third term. Dole entered the Republican primaries as the front-runner, defeating televangelist Pat Robertson and U.S. Senator Dan Quayle of Indiana. Jackson won the Democratic primaries after Democratic leaders Gary Hart and Ted Kennedy withdrew or declined to run while Brown declined to run for re-election, as well as defeating Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis and Tennessee senator Al Gore, Jackson became first African-American to be on a major party's candidate.
Jackson's campaign focused heavily on addressing racial inequality and social justice issues, while Dole's campaign focused on traditional Republican issues and the experience he had as a longtime politician. He touted his record of fiscal conservatism and foreign policy expertise. Dole's campaign was seen as a stark contrast to Jesse Jackson's, as it emphasized the status quo and stability rather than change and reform. Dole pulled ahead after the Republican National Convention and extended his lead after strong performances in two debates. Jackson won a landslide victory over Dole, winning the Electoral College and the popular vote by sizable margins.