1980 Election

Liberals(Left)

favored government intervention
to help the needy

sponsored laws that protected the rights of minorities
and women

supported greater government regulation
of industries

favor cooperating with international organizations like UN

Conservatives(Right)

favored a free market, private organizations,
and individuals to help needy

believed the liberal policies created the inflation and waste

sought to reduce taxes and limit government
regulation of industries to promote economic growth

Subgroup:

Neoconservatives/traditionalists: warned about
dangers of abandoning traditional values favor
of freedoms exemplified by counterculture & media

Anticommunism/questioned wisdom of detente and fought
against SALT II

Conservatives like Tradition

Moral Majority

political organization working to fulfill religious goals

opposed 1962 Engel v Vitale & 1973 Roe v Wade

condemned ERA and homosexuality

reached out to Americans who didnt usually participate in politics-registering 2 million new voters before 1980 election

distribute "report cards" on candidates, favoring Republicans

Religion grew during Carter's presidency, Religious advocators in Media trying to bring back tradition

Republican/Conservative

made clear his opposition to big government and supported a strong military, and faith in traditional values

Radiated optimism, convinced America he would usher era of prosperity and patriotism

Born in Illinois,suffered Great Depression, landed job in Hollywood as actor

low rated B films, failing career

After acting, became spokesperson for General Electric

once a New Dealer, became Goldwater conservative

criticized big government and high taxes

Won governorship of CA, nearly won Republican presidential nomination for 1976 election, Won by landslide in 1980 Election against Carter

unraveling of Democratic Party

Vietnam War, urban riots, counterculture,

lack of faith in Federal Government(Republicans
want small gov)

Watergate scandal

Oil Crisis

Iran hostage crisis

Liberals became Republican in suburbs b/c struggling financially

Migration to Sunbelt from Rustbelt

Rustbelt mainly Liberal/Democratic but migration into the southern SunBelt states, more Republican populations

stagflation believed to be caused by Liberal policies

Believed government taxed too highly & spent money on wrong programs

Conservatives complained about Unfunded mandates

programs required but
not paid for by Fed. Gov.

Conservatives disliked the welfare programs

argued they rewarded a lack of effort

believed to contribute to children born out of wedlock, against tradition

Affirmative Action

argued that caused reverse discrimination

Sagebrush Rebels

activists who believed federal gov controlled too much land in western states

Environmentalists opposed Sage Rebels

Carter lost popularity

Inflation

Iran Hostage Crisis

Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

"are you better off than you were four years ago?"

Democratic party loses popularity

Was close race until presidential debate

Reagan's gifts as communicator

Reagan appeared calm, collected, friendly

Reagan wins 50.6% of popular vote BUT overwhelming majority of Electoral votes

Republicans in Senate for first time since 1955

Democrats had House of Representitives