One thing I really remember about the 80's, going from child to college in those years, is the way the country was so upbeat. Yes, there were excesses and really bad clothes and hair, but there wasn't much moroseness unless one was around liberals who are that way when any true freedom fighter is in governmental control.
Clinton ran against the eighties, if you remember----it was all about the Decade of Greed and Reganomics. I honestly believe he won because he made people feel bad about being successful in the 80s (and he had lots and lots of help from coconspirators who benefited by his election).
I don't think that crap would work anymore (which is why Kerry is struggling so badly for an identity). Thankfully.