[Shark24]

Nice, thanks.

[SMGFan]

I usually post this every 9/01 since I was there in the park that day for the Reagan “picnic” with Ellis Island and NYC skyline behind Reagan. Lech Walesa step father (?) was introduced. I recall at least one reporter on the pay phone talking, not sure how to spell “Walesa”

[sockhead]

Great post and great photo of Reagan. Thank you for the flashback. I can imagine that Reagan’s inauguration was gratifying before you started Marine boot camp in February.

[Dan in Wichita]

Hey Sam, I enjoyed the flashback. I am about five years older than you and remember those times vividly. Every day I shake my head in disbelief that 36 years have passed since the election of 1980. Where did all the time go?

When I look at the drastic decline of this nation and how its people have changed since 1980, I wonder if another Ronald Reagan could be elected as President. The cultural and political left wing indoctrination is so pervasive, I have my doubts, but I'm not ready to give up.

I feel that if Hillary wins this election, the country you and I knew as young men will fade into history, never to return. If Trump wins, I believe America will be given one more chance to get things turned around.

Thank you for your service to America!

[Scott from the Left Coast]

I do remember this...I was 24, less than one month into my first “career” job post-grad school and about to get married around the time that Carter “took” that 8-point lead. It was a very different time, we lived very different lives then. Cable TV was only a few years old and we marveled at cable-only channels that were trying to create entirely new markets. Most of us never thought about computers in the home, certainly the Internet was stop ill an odd idea in Popular Science. Phones were big things with cord tethers. Stereo systems were based around a turntable. We thought we were in a great era of exploding communication...but we still sent letters through the mail.

People paid no more attention then to politics than they do now...and the alternative options for our attention were nowhere close to being as many as we have today. I still remember being surprised the day after the election that Reagan won as he did. The left-wing local newspaper congratulated him sincerely and hoped for the best in his presidency...even the left-wingers were different in those pre-Clinton days! But it was the surprise that I remember most - people were generally surprised he won - even in the news media that weekend before it was taken for granted that Carter would win comfortably. Then Reagan won everywhere on that Tuesday...even in Washington state where I was! People were astounded, no kidding, the surprise everywhere was palpable. No one expected that to happen - the TV was telling everyone constantly in the weeks previous that Carter had it won.

[fedupjohn]

Bttt

[arl295]

This is why Trump needs to campaign in New York and New Jersey

Think about it

[caddie]

The thing I keep telling my peeps is that this election has the same 'feel' as 1980.

Trump is the new Reagan.

It sure was neck and neck if you believed the press and pollsters. EVEN on the eve of the election it looked as if Carter would be reelected.

Basically people were just ill from years of being abused and by being led by a girliman.

When Reagan was voted it it was a real catharsis, a real renewal.

Press never did give Reagan any credit, until long after he left the White House. Some didn't until he was long dead.

Of course, there are some rabid ideologues who still ridicule him.

But he is almost universally acclaimed as a great President.

[SamAdams76]

36 years ago today!

[exit82]

I remember this fondly,Sam.

Watching him on TV that day, I could not wait to vote for him the coming November.

Thanks for the memories.

We have another Reagan in Trump. And Trump will even do more.

We will need a Mt. Rushmore II for both of them some day.

[SamAdams76]

Listening to the Top 40 from this time in 1980 bump.