George H.W. Bush was born in Massachusetts and graduated from Yale in 1948, then moved to Texas to become an oilman. He had a long political career, serving as UN Ambassador, Republican National Committee Chairman, liaison to China, and Director of the CIA before becoming Vice President in 1981. In 1988, Bush was elected President, defeating Michael Dukakis by winning 53% of the popular vote and 426 electoral votes, carrying the South solidly.