Incumbent vice president George H. W. Bush, the 1988 Republican nominee for president of the United States, selected Indiana senator Dan Quayle as his running mate for vice president of the United States on August 16, 1988. The selection of Quayle surprised many of Bush's closest advisers, who had expected Bush to pick a more well-known running mate. Quayle was the first baby boomer generation on a presidential ticket, as well as to be elected to the vice presidency. However, Bush adviser Roger Ailes helped convince Bush that Quayle would be able to effectively attack the Democratic presidential nominee, Michael Dukakis. Bush also liked Quayle's youth and felt that Quayle would make for a loyal vice president. The Bush–Quayle ticket would go on to defeat the Dukakis–Bentsen ticket in the general election but ultimately lost to the Clinton–Gore ticket in 1992.
During the selection process, New York City real-estate developer and future president Donald Trump approached Bush's campaign manager Lee Atwater asking to be considered as a possible choice for running mate. Bush found the request "strange and unbelievable."Meacham, Jon (2015). Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush (illustrated ed.). Random House. p. 326. ISBN 1400067650. Contradicting this report, Trump later asserted it was Atwater who approached him asking if he was interested in the position.
Possible running mates
Final candidates
Media speculation on possible running-mates
Members of Congress
Governors
Other Individuals
See also George H. W. Bush 1988 presidential campaign 1988 Republican Party presidential primaries 1988 Republican National Convention 1988 United States presidential election List of United States major party presidential tickets Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy
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