The 1980 Election and the Rise of the Right

C28219-11, President Reagan at Rancho Cel Cielo. 4/8/85 .


In his book, Reagan’s Victory: The Presidential Election of 1980 and the Rise of the Right, Andrew Busch details the specifics of the players in the historic contest. In stark contrast to the soft spoken Carter, Ronald Reagan offered a plan for economic growth, military strength, and change from the past. When President Carter declared that America was facing a “crisis of confidence” he did not understand how right he was. However, it was not a problem within society itself but in the ability of government to protect them. At the end of a decade full of political scandal, war, and historic stagflation, Americans were pessimistic towards their government. Much like an approaching New Year brings people hopefulness, so the dawning of the new decade—the 1980s—brought about a fresh optimism. Reagan’s conservative message stood out in contrast to the selfish 1960s, which many blamed for the problems of the 1970s. Conservatism had been a quiet movement growing undetected for a generation, but now it found a confident voice in Ronald Reagan.

Reagan ran on a platform of change, self-reliance, and strengthening America against any potential aggression from our most feared enemy, the Soviets. A skilled campaigner, he was able to project a vision of a free, prosperous, and stronger United States. Reagan’s message appealed to blue-collar workers, evangelicals, Catholics, and southerners. The American people listened and were ready to embrace the hope Reagan offered. Despite polling projections, Reagan was elected in a surprising electoral landslide although critics said that Regan’s victory was merely a rejection of Carter and the consequences of a third party candidate in the race. The political shift did not just occur at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, however. On this November 4th, Republicans gained forty-five seats, nearly taking total control of Congress. According to Busch, “Reagan had the longest coattails of any presidential winner during the final third of the twentieth century”. Reagan did not wait to take advantage of this legislative strength. He quickly went to work.

The historical landslide electoral victory of Reagan ushered in an era of conservatism and a return to smaller government, family values, and strong national defense. Reagan stopped the growth of government in nearly every area except defense. He pushed for, but did not always achieve success in social reforms such as school prayer and restrictions on abortion. He was able to lower taxes and get inflation under control through monetary policy and free trade. According to Busch, “Reagan had inherited a disaster and left a revival.”