[Torie]

So Carter did good by appointing Volker at the tail end? So what? How was he doing otherwise vis a vis the economy? How was he doing period? And he certainly wasn't interested in beefing up defense, defeating the evil empire, cutting taxes (which were then really high, but you probably don't remember), and certainly wasn't interested in, or incapable of, raising American's spirits, restoring their elan, and making themselves feel good about themselves and their country. It was time for a change. And the force was with us, we got lucky, and the change that was needed came. In hindsight, that change was just what the doctor ordered.

And that is not just my opinion, but that of liberal historians, almost all of whom even at this relatively early date, rank Reagan way above Carter. Carter's ranking will also be near Taft's. And there isn't a damn thing he can do about it, Volker notwithstanding.

[Torie]

also = always.

[hellinahandcart]

And he certainly wasn't interested in beefing up defense, defeating the evil empire, cutting taxes (which were then really high, but you probably don't remember),

Make that really, really, REALLY high.

and certainly wasn't interested in, or incapable of, raising American's spirits, restoring their elan, and making themselves feel good about themselves and their country. It was time for a change.

I will never forget the "malaise" speech. I was in a very blue-collar bar in Cincinnati, surrounded by union types that had probably voted for Carter, and the speech was playing on the television above the bar. Everyone around me was watching it, and they all wore expressions of resigned disgust on their faces.

I knew that night that Carter wasn't going to be around for a second term.