Bush vs. Dukakis: The first 1988 presidential debate

The 1988 presidential election cycle featured Vice President George H.W. Bush, the Republican nominee, and Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, the Democratic nominee. The first debate was a 90-minute discussion, focusing on foreign and domestic policy. Moderated by Jim Lehrer of PBS, with questions posed by a panel of journalists, it took place on September 15, 1988, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

This content is brought to you as part of a PBS NewsHour project to make all presidential and vice presidential debates available to watch online.


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