1980 Election Flashcards
Candidates
Democrat- Jimmy Carter (35.4 million)
Republican- Ronald Reagan (43.9 million)
Independent- John B. Anderson (5.9 million)
Why Did Reagan Win?- Economics
Carter failed to fix economic crisis + to get Congressional assent for legislative initiatives, seemed inept
Reagan promised a balanced budget in 3 years + to remove regulations affecting consumer, workplace, and environment that impacted economic growth.
Why Did Reagan Win?- Carter’s Loss of Support
Carter lacked support from his own party, alienated liberal Democrats + lost many traditional blue-collar supporters (resented ‘reverse discrimination’)
40% voting for Reagan gave ‘it’s time for a change’ as main reason
Why Did Reagan Win?- Campaign Skill
Reagan was a brilliant campaigner- performed well in + ‘won’ the eve of election debate
Known as the ‘Great Communicator’
‘With a prepared text, he is the best speaker I have ever seen’- Tip O’Neill
Why Did Reagan Win?- Demographics
Population of Sun Belt rising at the expense of Northeast and Midwest.
Migrants usually white conservatives
Why Did Reagan Win?- Traditional Values
Carter lacked a vision, MA called for return to traditional values.
Religious Right + New Right backed Reagan
Rise of Moral Majority- estimated 5 million evangelical Christians voted for the first time (For Reagan)
Why Did Reagan Win?- State Power
Reagan promised to restore local power + cut power of Federal government, claiming ‘I believe in State’s Rights’ and aimed to reduce ‘waste, fraud, and abuse’ in government
Why Did Reagan Win?- Foreign Policy
Carter had no great foreign policy victories, but several disasters
Iranian hostages key factor- Reagan promised their return, as well as strong leadership and a revival of US power
Consequences
‘Reagan Revolution’- significant rightwards shift/conservative realignment in politics
Gained Republican majority in US Senate for first time since 1955
