Bush, George H. W.

An American political leader of the late twentieth century; elected president as a Republican in 1988 after he pledged: “Read my lips; no new taxes.” Once in office, however, he reached an agreement with Congress to raise taxes. Despite this, Bush's popularity rose in the wake of American success in the Persian Gulf War , but then declined as the United States slipped into economic recession in 1991. He was defeated for reelection in 1992 by Governor Bill Clinton of Arkansas .