WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 1988 (UPI) - Sobered by ''the enormity'' of the challenge ahead, President-elect George Bush moved swiftly Wednesday to assemble a new administration and enable a stable transition from the Reagan era.
Just 12 hours after winning the presidency in a sweeping defeat of Democratic foe Michael Dukakis, Bush sent overtures to Democratic-controlled Capitol Hill and assurances to friends abroad as he set in motion a process that will reshape the government.
At a rousing reception as he returned to Washington, Bush emphasized the need for continuity ''as the world's oldest, greatest democracy shifts, moves on, and shifts again.''
Bush assured U.S. allies ''that our good policies of the last eight years will continue.''
''After eight years of strong leadership, calm stability, dramatic progress, we are open now to new progress and to new challenges,'' he said. And, ''to those who do not yet view themselves as our allies, we will keep on trying.''
In a conciliatory signal to Capitol Hill, Bushed urged conversation rather than confrontation.
He said he would do ''everything I can to have open and friendly relations with the United States Congress. I don't want us to talk at each other, I want us to talk to each other.''
In one of his first acts after claiming victory, Bush named his close friend, political confidant and campaign manager James Baker to be Secretary of State.
And he directed senior advisers Craig Fuller and Robert Teeter to oversee the transition process that will climax 73 days from now on Jan. 20 when he is inaugurated.
To sustained cheers by the crowd of well-wishers who greeted his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington, Bush also praised his oft-maligned running mate, Dan Quayle.
''He's going to be a great vice president,'' Bush said. ''Watch him closely America, because you're going to respect what you see.''
Bush said that he and his wife, Barbara, had attended church services in Houston before leaving for Washington.
''And that probably was the first movement when I realized the enormity of it all,'' he said.
Following the arrival at Andrews, Bush and Quayle went to the White House for a meeting with President Reagan
''If anyone wants to know how Nancy and I feel about this moment,'' Reagan quipped, ''just read our smiles.''
In Houston, Bush, admittedly tired and subdued, confessed to having ''mixed emotions'' on his first day of knowing he would occupy the office he first began campaigning for almost a decade ago.
Insisting the voters ''spoke loud and clear,'' Bush viewed the vote Tuesday as a broad mandate to pursue the issues he addressed in the campaign and place his imprimatur on the federal government for the next four years.
Bush reaffirmed a promise to seek an early superpower summit with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, but said he will not rush into ''meetings just for the sake of a meeting.''
And the Nicaraguan Contra guerrillas, a cause dear to Reagan and the most divisive foreign policy issue of his tenure, will ''have a high priority,'' Bush said. But after playing down the Contra aid issue during the campaign, Bush would not elaborate on how he will handle it as president.
Bush said he would probably be making additional personnel announcements, including possible Cabinet positions, ''within a couple of weeks'' once he returns from a long weekend vacation in Florida.
Bush said he announced the Baker nomination because ''it gets the whole process off on a right foot'' and to send ''a stabilizing signal around the world.''
He said he had received phone calls from a number of Democrats as well as Chancellor Helmut Kohl of West Germany, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of Britain, and King Fahd of Saudi Arabia.
To that end, and to the surprise of no one, he named Baker to succeed George Shultz as secretary of state.
Baker was the chief architect of the Bush presidential campaign, and his political savvy and sharp skills saw him rewarded by Reagan with the posts of White House chief of staff and treasury secretary.
''He has proven skills as a negotiator,'' Bush said of the man he met years ago in Houston and persuaded to come to Washington to serve under President Gerald Ford.
''He will demonstrate the highest standards of performance as the next secretary of state. He has big shoes to fill, but he will get the job done.''
Bush said he called Shultz at the State Department today to inform him of his intention to name Baker.
At the State Department, Shultz said, ''I am personally just delighted'' with the nomination.
Other anticipated carryovers from the administration include Attorney General Richard Thornburgh; Treasury Secretary Nicholas Brady, and Education Secretary Lauro Cavazos.
Bush indicated any of those Cabinet members could wind up in his administration, but forecast ''a major turnover'' in his presidency.
''I will, for the most part, bring in a brand new team of people from across the country,'' he said. ''In my view, that will reinvigorate the process. It will in no way reflect lack of confidence in those who have served President Reagan so well.''
Bush, who attended a private church service with his family before the news conference, announced routine appointments concerning the transition from the Reagan to the Bush presidency.
And he recalled his historic succession -- the last sitting vice president to succeed his president was elected in 1836.
''I also want to thank Martin Van Buren for paving the way,'' Bush said.
