Explore the 1988 presidential election, and examine Baker's role in President Bush's campaign. When George H. W. Bush decided to again run for president, he picked Baker, his friend, to lead his campaign. Bush's opponent, Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, started off with a healthy lead. Baker and the Bush team portrayed Dukakis as an out-of-touch liberal in their campaign. Following a slew of TV attack ads, The Washington Post referred to Bush's campaign as "reckless, demagogic nonsense." Nevertheless, the Bush team won comfortably in November.