1980 Presidential Election

The 1980 Presidential Election

• The election occurred on November 4, 1980.
• Ronald Reagan, the Republican candidate, defeated incumbent Jimmy Carter, the Democratic candidate.

Candidates

• Besides Reagan and Carter, candidates from the Libertarian, Socialist, Citizens, and Socialist Worker parties also ran.
• John B. Anderson, a Republican, ran as an independent candidate.

Ronald Reagan's Candidacy

• George H. W. Bush was Reagan's running mate; together, they campaigned under the slogan ''Let's make America great again.''

Jimmy Carter's Candidacy

• Walter Mondale was Carter's running mate, displaying a firm and trusting relationship.
• Carter faced attacks from Republicans, third parties, and even within his own party.

Other Candidates

• John B. Anderson (Independent) had Patrick Lucey as his running mate.
• Ed Clark (Libertarian Party) ran with David Koch.
• David McReynolds (Socialist Party) chose Sister Diane Drufenbrock, marking the first openly gay presidential candidate and the first nun vice-presidential candidate.
• Barry Commoner (Citizens Party) ran with LaDonna Harris.
• Gus Hall (Communist Party) chose Angela Davis as his running mate.
• Clifton DeBerry (Socialist Workers Party) had Matilde Zimmermann as his running mate.
• John Richard Rarick (American Independent Party) ran with Eileen Shearer.
• Maureen Smith (Peace and Freedom Party) chose Elizabeth Cervantes Barron as her running mate.

Democratic Party Primaries

• Carter faced primary challenges due to perceptions of ineffectiveness, attributed to his handling of the energy crisis.
• Higher interest rates and a recession in 1980 were blamed on actions taken by Carter's appointees to the Federal Reserve Board.
• Senator Edward ''Ted'' Kennedy was Carter's most significant challenger, showing antagonism even through the Democratic National Convention.
• Despite Kennedy winning some later primaries, Carter's prominence was indisputable, securing him the nomination after Kennedy withdrew.

Republican Party Primaries

• Primary candidates included Ronald Reagan, Bob Dole, and George H. W. Bush.
• Key issues debated were economics, defense strategy, and government funding.
• Bush initially gained ground, but support shifted towards Reagan; interactions between Bush and Reagan were very tense.
• Reagan received the Republican nomination in May 1980, choosing Bush as his running mate.

1980 Presidential Election in Context

• Jimmy Carter faced low approval ratings.

Reagan Campaign

• The campaign attracted those seeking change, agreeing with Reagan's policies, or aligning with the New Right movement (including the Moral Majority).
• Reaganomics proposed reducing welfare spending, decreasing taxes, deregulating the economy, and increasing military funding.
• Reagan opposed political proposals related to women and minority civil rights, particularly the Equal Rights Amendment.
• Reagan used the ''Misery Index''—the sum of inflation and unemployment rates—to highlight economic distress and blame Carter's policies.

Carter's Malaise Speech

• Carter's 1979 speech stated that Americans were too materialistic and faced a "crisis of confidence."
• Initial positive reactions were followed by a backlash after Carter fired his cabinet, which inspired Ted Kennedy to run against him.

Carter-Reagan Debate

• The televised debate was a turning point, with Reagan's statements and quips seen favorably compared to Carter's difficulties.

1980 Presidential Election Results

• Reagan won by a landslide with 489 electoral votes to Carter's 49, which is one of the largest landslide victories in American history.
• Reagan won just over 50% of the popular vote, Carter won 41%, and John B. Anderson won 6.6%.