Bush Sr. used this to defeat Michael Dukakis in 1988, after an inmate committed a crime while on a furlough program Dukakis said could help rehabilitation.<p><i>Republicans eagerly picked up the Horton issue after Dukakis clinched the nomination. In June 1988, Republican candidate George H.W. Bush seized on the Horton case, bringing it up repeatedly in campaign speeches. Bush&#x27;s campaign manager, Lee Atwater, said &quot;By the time we&#x27;re finished, they&#x27;re going to wonder whether Willie Horton is Dukakis&#x27; running mate.&quot;</i><p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Willie_Horton#Horton_in_the_1988_presidential_campaign" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Willie_Horton#Horton_in_the_19...</a>