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 ultimately lost 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.

Possible running mates

Final Seven

^[1]

Senator and 1976 presidential candidate
Lloyd Bentsen
from Texas
(1971–1993)
Representative and 1988 presidential candidate
Dick Gephardt
from Missouri
(1977–2005)
Senator and 1984 presidential candidate
John Glenn
from Ohio
(1974–1999)
Senator and 1988 presidential candidate
Al Gore
from Tennessee
(1985–1993)
Senator and 1988 presidential candidate
Bob Graham
from Florida
(1987–2005)
Representative
Lee H. Hamilton
from Indiana
(1965–1999)
Reverend and 1984/1988 presidential candidate
Jesse Jackson
from South Carolina

Media speculation on possible vice presidential candidates

^[3]

Senator
Bill Bradley
from New Jersey
(1979–1997)
Senator
Sam Nunn
from Georgia
(1972–1997)

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Toner, Robin (July 13, 1988). "DUKAKIS PICKS BENTSEN FOR RUNNING MATE; TEXAN ADDS CONSERVATIVE VOICE TO TICKET; A REGIONAL BALANCE". New York Times. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
^ Staff writer (July 13, 1988). "Dukakis Chooses Texas Sen. Bentsen as Running Mate". Washington Post. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
^ Crawford, J. Craig (July 13, 1988). "Texan Bentsen To Run With Dukakis Choice Could Hold Key To Votes -- Also Trouble". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 4, 2015.

[toner-1] Toner, Robin (July 13, 1988). "DUKAKIS PICKS BENTSEN FOR RUNNING MATE; TEXAN ADDS CONSERVATIVE VOICE TO TICKET; A REGIONAL BALANCE". New York Times. Retrieved October 4, 2015.

[wapo-2] Staff writer (July 13, 1988). "Dukakis Chooses Texas Sen. Bentsen as Running Mate". Washington Post. Retrieved October 4, 2015.

[crawford-3] Crawford, J. Craig (July 13, 1988). "Texan Bentsen To Run With Dukakis Choice Could Hold Key To Votes -- Also Trouble". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 4, 2015.

[1]

[2]

[3]

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Possible running mates

Final Seven

Media speculation on possible vice presidential candidates

See also

References