he was later a house representative. he was also republican party chairman and tried the vice presidency, with the support of such congressional conservatives as senator barry goldwater after nixon resigned and ford took office, but lost to liberal republican nelson rockefeller in 1974. in 1980, bush also ran against ronald reagan for the republican party's candidacy for president but lost. he was then named republican vice presidential candidate by reagan after reagan defeated him. reagan and bush were elected president and vice president that year.