Why George HW Bush Wasn't Re-elected

Naomi Zimmermann

Why George HW Bush Lost the 1992 Election

George HW Bush lost the 1992 election to Clinton even though he had achieved a considerable amount as president. Under his presidency, the Cold War was finally over and the American public saw the fall of the Soviet Union and the Berlin Wall with it. He also had expediently established American military superiority in the Gulf War which set a precedent for the decades to come. Bush’s popularity suffered when it came to his liberal economic policies, especially the increase in the income tax which he had promised not to enact when he accepted his role as president.

Bush took actions to improve the failing economy which Reagan had left behind. He bailed out the banks which were doing poorly in failing economy that Reagan had left behind. He also raised taxes, which later plagued him as he had stated the now infamous phrase “read my lips, no new taxes” during his election victory speech. He had originally wanted to raise taxes on gasoline, but Congress instead decided to raise the income tax on the rich. He raised taxes in an effort to reduce federal debt by 5 billion dollars, which was projected to grow even more at that point.

Although these financial policies were unappealing to his Republican base, he saw them as the necessary actions to benefit the American people. Ironically, these actions were the ones that damaged his reputation and chances of reelection and wiped that of Reagan clean. If Clinton hadn’t taken such extreme measures which did not appeal to his Republican base, Reagan would not possess the good reputation as the father of modern conservatism that he does today.

He also expanded the scope of government in ways other than raising taxes. He passed the disabilities act of 1990, which prohibited discrimination against disabled persons and required public buildings to have disability accessible entrances(hence why there are now ramps on elevated buildings so that they are wheelchair accessible). He also passed the Clean Air and Water Act, both pieces of legislation which set federal standards for air and water pollution.

He also did not try to gloat for the multitude of progressive international events going on which he had facilitated, both at the time that they occurred and later when he was campaigning. He did not dance upon the grave of the Soviet Union when it was deteriorating and didn’t even acknowledge his contribution to the eventual fall of the Berlin Wall. He took such precarious diplomatic proceedings as he didn’t want to incite resentment out of the Russians and communists, which could possibly lead to a revolution. Instead, he quietly supported Gorbachev’s reforms in Eastern Europe while not gloating and taking credit for the advancement of the western pillars of democracy and capitalism in the east. The Cold War also completely came to an end under his leadership. He also didn’t gloat about the decisive victory that US forces had in the Gulf War, when US and UN forces defeated Iraqi forces after they invaded Kuwait due to oil disputes. Operation Desert Storm, as the military operation was known as, only lasted a few days and signaled a new era of American decisive military victory due to advancements in technology after the ineffective and drawn out military actions in the war in Vietnam.

When he was running against Clinton during the 1992 election, Bush didn’t take full advantage his achievements and was plagued by his liberal actions. Republicans had expected him to continue Reagan’s policies, and when he didn’t by expanding government power, they vehemently criticized him. The raise in the income tax on the rich was a particular sore spot as many pegged him as a liar(although it wasn’t his aim to raise the income tax in the first place). He also didn’t sell himself enough because he wasn’t good at boasting and didn’t articulate his vision as he expected Americans to understand what he had accomplished without shoving it down their throat, which they didn’t. Bush was very good in one on one interactions as he was very emotional and empathetic and was easily able to connect with others, but he didn’t have the same effect when connecting with the American public. The truth is that Republicans focused too much on his liberal economic policies and not enough on his international victories. Had he taken more credit for major accomplishments that were made under his presidency, most notable of which was the fall of the Soviet Union and the decisive victory of the Gulf War, he very well may have won the hearts of the American people and the election with it.

Sources:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/presidents/georgehwbush
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