Poll Flashback: Reagan tops GOP poll but would lose to Carter.
Even in 1980 the media was spinning hard for the Dems. I remember the alphabet networks had it to close to call up until a week to the election and Reagan handed Carter his lunch in their only debate and wiped the Peanut Boy a week later.
Absolutely not even close to the same thing. Reagan was a serious, thoughtful candidate. He was NOT a clown. That’s like using a Dewy v. Truman scenario. Utterly false equivalence.
If Trump is nominated (won’t be) I’d be stunned if he took Utah.
Imagine the debate between Hillary and Trump? It would be great TV. After that—I think the poll numbers might change.
| Month | Ronald Reagan (R) % | Jimmy Carter (D) % | John B. Anderson (I) % |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 1979/January 1980 | 33% | 62% | |
| February/March | 31% | 60% | |
| 33% | 58% | ||
| 34% | 40% | 21% | |
| April/May | 34% | 41% | 18% |
| 32% | 38% | 21% | |
| 32% | 40% | 21% | |
| June/July | 32% | 39% | 21% |
| 33% | 35% | 24% | |
| 37% | 32% | 22% | |
| 37% | 34% | 21% | |
| August/September | 45% | 29% | 14% |
| 38% | 39% | 13% | |
| 39% | 39% | 14% | |
| October/November | 44% | 40% | 9% |
| 45% | 39% | 9% | |
| 47% | 44% | 8% | |
| Actual result | 51% | 41% | 7% |
| Difference between actual result and final poll | +4% | -3% | -1% |
Incumbent President Jimmy Carter initially had a huge lead in the polls, due to the rally-around-the flag effect of the Iranian hostage crisis and the perceived extremism of Reagan. The continuing hostage crisis and the poor economy hurt Carter, and the prospect John B. Anderson running as an independent appealed to around 20% of Americans who saw Carter as a lesser evil to Reagan. As a result, Anderson took a third of Carter's support in the spring, but did not seem to hurt Reagan, despite Anderson being a Republican. Carter would never recover this loss of support, while Reagan would end up peeling around two-thirds of initial Anderson voters. This race remained close until near the end, when Reagan asked Americans if they were better off than they were four years ago. Afterwards Reagan managed to win a huge landslide victory in the general election.[15]
Yes, the elites are trying to choose our candidate again.