[Nifster]

And it started during the 76 run. By 80 it had become epic trying to portray him as an insane old man who would nuke the world. H. W was part of it

[Blue Jays]

Concur with your post above.
Many of our current issues began with President George H.W. Bush.

That man was almost certainly foisted upon us by the GOPe back in the day.
I do not believe President Ronald W. Reagan would have opted to select him as a running mate by his own choice.