1988 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection
This article lists those who were potential candidates for the Democratic nomination for Vice President of the United States in the 1988 election. Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis won the 1988 Democratic nomination for President of the United States, and chose Texas Senator Lloyd Bentsen as his running mate. Dukakis chose Bentsen in order to appeal to Southerners and in hopes of carrying Bentsen's home state of Texas.[1] The strategy failed, as the Dukakis-Bentsen ticket went on to lose Texas and all other states in the South except West Virginia. The choice of Bentsen caused some backlash from Jesse Jackson, who had wanted to be chosen as the vice presidential nominee, and progressives such as Ralph Nader.[2] Paul Brountas, a longtime Dukakis aide, led the search for Dukakis's running mate.[1] The Dukakis–Bentsen ticket would lose to the Bush–Quayle ticket in the general election. Bentsen simultaneously ran for reelection as Senator, and easily won, despite the Dukakis-Bentsen ticket's double-digit loss in Texas.
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Possible running mates
Final Seven
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Media speculation on possible vice presidential candidates
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See also
References
- Toner, Robin (13 July 1988). "DUKAKIS PICKS BENTSEN FOR RUNNING MATE; TEXAN ADDS CONSERVATIVE VOICE TO TICKET; A REGIONAL BALANCE". New York Times. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
- Staff writer (13 July 1988). "Dukakis Chooses Texas Sen. Bentsen as Running Mate". Washington Post. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
- Crawford, J. Craig (13 July 1988). "Texan Bentsen To Run With Dukakis Choice Could Hold Key To Votes -- Also Trouble". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 4 October 2015.