Election of 1980 The Triumph of Ronald Reagan and the American Right Text Credit: 2003 Teacher Fellows Candidates: Ronald Reagan, Republican (pictured) and Jimmy Carter, Democrat Fun Fact | Historically Significant Elections Campaign Overview | Electoral Overview

CAMPAIGN OVERVIEW In l980, Democratic President Jimmy Carter had lost the voters' confidence. The nation's economy was in shambles and the ongoing Iranian hostage crisis tarnished America's international prestige. Carter's popularity was plummeting as he mounted his campaign for re-election. At the same time, the Republicans were uniting a broad coalition of conservatives known as "The New Right." They supported a former actor and former governor of California, Ronald Reagan, who had nearly won the Republican nomination in l976. Liberal Republican John Anderson of Illinois ran as an independent. In the News Relations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union deteriorated after the Soviets' 1979 invasion of Afghanistan. As a result, the U.S. boycotted the l980 summer Olympics in Moscow. But much of the news in l980 focused on the holding of American embassy workers hostage by Iranian fanatics. A news program, Nightline, even chronicled each "day" of their captivity. When negotiations hit an impasse, Carter ordered a rescue mission that failed tragically. An economic recession, high interest rates, and a government bailout of the Chrysler Corporation added to a "national malaise." The emergence of The New Right was helped by a political revival from evangelical Christians and was supported by televangelists like Jerry Falwell from Virginia. Tactics/Strategy Until his term ended, Carter worked relentlessly to free the Americans held in Iran, even at a cost to his campaign. Carter could cite some of his earlier successes, such as the Camp David accords and the Panama Canal Treaty. However, a recession and the hostage crisis stained his record. Carter's attacks on Reagan came across as mean-spirited, whereas Reagan radiated charm and vitality. Bolstered by a growing conservative impulse and an engaging public appeal, Reagan capitalized on the contrast with his frustrated incumbent. John Anderson's "protest vote" further weakened Carter's electoral base. Platforms Reagan appealed to The New Right's agenda. Resurrecting the traditional themes of rugged individualism and free enterprise, Reagan also established a "pro-family" posture—opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment and to legalized abortion. He called for the federal government to relinquish more power to the states. Reagan also promised to reduce taxes and cut federal spending. Opposing S.A.L.T. II, Reagan conveyed a "get tough" policy with any foreign power that would threaten America's international prestige or national security. Jimmy Carter endorsed a national health insurance program and came out in support of the Equal Rights Amendment and S.A.L.T.II. Slogans There may have been no memorable slogans in the Carter camp, but in one campaign ad, Carter seemed almost apologetic: "I'll be a better president in the next four years." By contrast, Reagan's affable manner and earnest delivery could create a slogan from a simple retort. In one televised debate, Reagan amiably deflected a Carter charge with "There you go again" and ended his closing remarks with the rhetorical, "Are you better off than you were four years ago?" During the Republican primaries, challenger George Bush assailed the impracticality of Reagan's economic plans, dubbing the policy, "voodoo economics." Reagan countered by naming Bush as his running mate. Attempting to corner the protest vote, John Anderson's National Unity campaign defined him as "The Only Alternative for a Better America."

ELECTORAL OVERVIEW Reagan's victory was clear. With a majority in 44 states, he took 50.7% of the popular vote to Carter's 41% . Anderson won almost 7%. Reagan's victory also extended into Congress. The Republicans' eleven new Senate seats gave them a majority for the first time since the l950s. In the House, Democrats retained control, but Republicans captured thirty-three seats and four state governorships. In l976, Carter had won all but one southern state. In l980, he lost every southern state except his home state of Georgia. Electoral College Results Reagan (Republican) 489 Carter (Democrat) 49 Anderson (Independent) 0 Aftermath Minutes after Reagan's inauguration, the Iranians released the 52 American hostages after 444 days of captivity. "Citizen" Jimmy Carter welcomed them in Germany. Reagan's early years as president experienced a severe recession and a growing federal deficit. However, after surviving a near fatal assassination attempt, Reagan's courage and grace inspired renewed popularity. Jimmy Carter, and his wife Rosalyn, rallied from the failed campaign to devote themselves to public service. They became involved in Habitat for Humanity and established the Carter Center to study mental health issues and conflict resolution through peace and justice. Carter continued to work with developing countries to establish fair elections and in 2002, he became the third U.S. president to win the Nobel Peace Prize.