1980 Election-Reagan

Long-Term Factors

Conservative

Barry Goldwater Speech

politically famous

Many democrats switching to
republican

moving to suburbs

economic issues in 1970s

rust belt to the sun belt

support of whites in south

religion

moral majority

many new voters in support
republican party

didn't like loss of traditional family

economy

blamed liberals for stagflation

government taxed citizens and businesses
too much

unfunded mandates

welfare programs

great society

affirmative action

Short-Term Factors

Carter

hostage crisis

inflation/stagflation
(how carter was handling it)

invasion of Afghanistan

debate

gifted communicator

did not appear inexperienced

won popular vote 50.6%