Posted on 10/31/2002 2:45:06 PM PST by doug from upland
NOTE: this is No. 2 in a series in which we look at the highlights of the greatest president of the 20th century, Ronald W. Reagan.
During the summer of 1984, America was filled with patriotic fervor. American Olympians in Los Angeles dressed in uniforms bearing the Stars and Stripes. The Soviets boycotted the Games, and the United States dominated them.
President Ronald Reagan was very popular in his own party and with "Reagan Democrats," those who saw the light and deserted their party to vote for The Gipper.
There were two presidential debates that year between President Reagan and Walter Mondale, the former Vice President under Jimmy Carter.
Mondale had done well in the first debate on Oct. 7 and was looking forward to gaining ground in the second one on Oct. 22. He wanted to exploit the age issue. President Reagan was 73 years old when he ran for a second term. Would Mondale be able to score points?
In one of the great moments in presidential debate history, Reagan stole the issue from Modale when he looked at the audience and the other candidate and jokingly promised not to " exploit for political purposes my opponent's youth and inexperience." The issue was taken away and would never return. The voters recognized Reagan as witty, confident, and presidential.
Election results:
Reagan (R) - Electoral Votes: 525, Popular Votes: 53,428,357
Mondale (D) - Electoral Votes: 13, Popular Votes: 36,930,923
Those 13 electoral votes came from Mondales home state of Minnesota (10) and the Dictrict of Columbia (3). Otherwise, Reagan kicked Fritz's butt!
And I still think, Norm Coleman will beat Mondale this time around.
In two terms Ronald Reagangot the country going againIn two terms FDR
whipped inflation
ended the energy crisis
transcended Communism-blamed Herbert Hoover for the DepressionIn addition FDR did what it took to create the Cold War. On purpose. Because he favored "liberalism" (as socialism was called in America even then).
-let Hitler start WWII.
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