1980

The Reagan era begins

Ronald Reagan swept to a landslide victory over incumbent Jimmy Carter, transforming American politics with a conservative revolution. Carter was battered by the Iranian hostage crisis (444 days), stagflation, and the energy crisis. Reagan's optimistic message — 'It's morning again in America' — and his reassuring debate performance ('There you go again') dispelled fears that he was an extremist. Independent John Anderson won 6.6% of the popular vote. Reagan's victory realigned working-class Democrats ('Reagan Democrats') toward the GOP.