Why did George H.W. Bush lose the bid for re-election?

When the economy is in recession during an election year, the incumbent tends to lose, as Jimmy Carter lost to Ronald Reagan in 1980. (Admittedly, the recession was only one of several reasons for Carter's loss.) And while George W. read more

Hardcore Reagan conservatives disowned President George H. W. Bush after he raised taxes (and yes, he did), breaking his "read my lips" pledge. He was honest about the failure of Reaganomics, which he had called "voodoo economics" in the Republican primary of 1980. read more

" That lady who questioned him on the price of a gallon of milk (and tripped him up with it) became his Katrina. And he never recovered. read more

See also: Martin van Buren, Millard Fillmore, James Buchanan, Chester Alan Arthur, Harry S. Truman, and George W. Bush. George H.W. Bush himself followed Reagan during a drought that struck the Midwestern states and the late 80s recession. read more