What Impact did the Reagan Presidency have? - Topic 5.4 Flashcards
The extent to which the presidency and US politics were revitalised
How involved was Reagan in legislation?
Some of the legislation that Reagan wanted to introduce, urged by the religious right, was blocked by Congress. However, the reason that not all of the changes he had promised were brought in was not just because of Congress; Reagan was also prepared to listen to advice. He was pragmatic and flexible about policy when advised against policy. Although he believed that daily prayer should be introduced in schools, he was advised that it would never pass Congress and so he didn’t bring the bill in.
How did Bush’s presidency compare to Reagan’s?
In his involvement in legislation?
Bush wasn’t as pragmatic or flexible. He was a poor communicator and was less able to charm the public. He had less support in Congress and so struggled more and was less adept at managing Congress. He promised to continue Reagan’s most popular policies of low taxes and keeping defence spending high and also gave into demands of Congress to raise taxes to fund the First Gulf War.
How did Clinton’s presidency compare to Reagan’s?
In his involvement in legislation?
Clinton also struggled to get legislation passed by Congress after his first big healthcare legislation package failed: increased presidential involvement in legislation didn’t last long.
How did Reagan’s public change after the Iran-Contra affair?
White House officials had supplied arms to Iran in order to free several US hostages. The officials had used the money from the arms sales to support Contra rebels in Nicaragua, who were fighting the existing government. The White House had also supplied the rebels with weapons. All of it was done without the agreement of Congress and also opposed the policies of neutrality in the Iran-Iraq War and of not supplying the Contras with weapons laid down by Congress. The president lied to Congress and the public by saying, first, that these things had not been done, and that he didn’t know about it. The officials involved destroyed documents and other evidence in an attempted cover-up. People were asking themselves what was worse - a president who ordered this and then lied, or a president who was so unable to control his officials that they could do it without him knowing? Reagan’s involvement did damage. Reagan did better than Nixon and was more popular at the start and so many people told themselves that, because he had had an operation when he gave the order, he could’ve been confused. Alsp they felt he was doing it to save hostages, not his own neck.
What was the ‘New Right’ thinking?
Reagan united a significant number of politicians under a conservative coalition banner. It was this that enabled him to push through his early legislation. The coalition was reacting against the political climate of the 1970s, as they saw it. They objected to the increase of ‘lazy’ and ‘welfare dependent’ poor; the rising number of strikes and demonstrations; the increasing lack of ‘law and order’; the support given by the government to issues such as gay rights, women’s liberation, affirmative action and abortion.
However, in the public mind and in the reactions of politicians, between support for these ideas in general terms and accepting Reagan’s more extreme policies. Polls showed that people thought the welfare system was being exploited, but also thought the poor needed more help. Congress and the states managed to block a lot of the legislation suggested by the administration on ‘social’ issues and on ‘big government’ handovers of control.
Was politics revitalised by Reagan?
Many political analysts claim the problem with the Republicans was that they saw their victories as a sensible swing to their way of thinking, rather than a temporary reaction to Democrat mistakes, so they didn’t feel the need to change their thinking. In fact, more Americans in the ’80s and ’90s care about liberal ideals, even if they didn’t call them that, than Republicans thought. People wanted a fair society, even if it wasn’t equal: one closer to the American Dream than Republican big business would ever want.
How did the Democrats change after their losses to Reagan?
Initially, the Democrats were divided and were even split about candidates. Jesse Jackson, a civil rights activist and Baptist minister, ran to be chosen as their presidential candidate in 1984; he wasn’t chosen and their candidate lost. Jackson ran again in 1988 and lost again, with the nominated candidate being beat by George H.W. Bush heavily.
The Democratic Leadership Council was formed to revitalise the party in 1984. The ‘old’ liberal order of Kennedy and Johnson was tarnished. A ‘New Democrat’ ideology was born that accepted the need for low taxes and low federal intervention. This shifted Democrats closer to conservative thinking. However, they stressed the need to provide social welfare. As ‘welfare’ became increasingly synonymous with ‘supporting the lazy’, the Democrats evolved a new take on it. They said that they would abolish welfare and provide support. Clinton campaigned on the promise in 1992. He offered a ‘New Covenant’ to the people. He would bring change and replace policies that weren’t working, the same offer Reagan made in 1984.
What other changes were made to the political environment by Reagan?
- He brought business back into government. Businesses were bigger and money was no longer something to be shy about having. From sponsorship in sport to influence in politics through huge campaign contributions, businesses made their mark on the US far more strongly than they had done for decades. This had knock-on effects when they supported particular political candidates. Candidates with funding can buy more air-time and can run more slick, appealing campaigns, giving them a competitive edge without needing any political ideas or skill
- The Christian right became more outspoken and involved in politics. It became more outspoken about issues such as abortion, teen pregnancy and what should be taught in schools. Its view was that it had given Reagan support and brough in a lot of votes. It expected government legislation on these issues, however Reagan was advised against any actual legislation and was careful to make it clear that he was expressing a personal opinion. He was a successful president because of his willingness to adapt. He might not change his mind over abortion, but he wasn’t going to try and force that
How did public interest and involvement develop due to Reagan?
Presidential debates:
The first presidential debate in 1960 drew 70 million viewers. Television ownership grew after this, but viewing figures for the debates dropped, even though they were seen as events that most affected public voting. Viewing figures were around 60 million during the ’70s, until the Reagan-Carter debate, which drew in 80.6 million viewers.
Viewership numbers after the 1980 presidential debate:
- The 1984 debate had 67.5 million;
- ‘88 had 65.1 million
- ‘92 had 69.9 million
- ‘96 had 36.3 million
How did public interest and involvement develop due to Reagan?
Voter turnout:
Voter turnout since Kennedy had been dropping consistently, in line with the public’s overall confidence in the presidency. By 1970, the total percentage of people turning out to vote out of the entire electorate was around 47%. In the 1978 midterms, the turnout was around 38%.
Turnout from the 1980 presidential election:
- 1980, ~54%;
- 1982, ~40%;
- 1984, ~55%;
- 1986, ~36%;
- 1988, ~53%;
- 1992, ~58%;
Did Reagan change the view of the public?
He was a popular president and did change the view of the public, media and parties on the role of the government, even if he didn’t make sweeping changes in legislation that he had hoped for. He made the presidency look as if it was a proper political institution again, becoming a leader who could affect policy and guide the nation. He made people feel as if the system of government was sound; it just needed the right people to be in government to make it work.
