1980
The 1980 U.S. presidential election was won by Ronald Reagan (Republican) with 489 of 538 electoral votes, defeating Jimmy Carter (Democratic). Electoral vote margin: 440 EV, popular-vote margin +9.7%; turnout 54.2%. The cycle falls in the Cold War Realignment era of American electoral history.
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.
Iranian hostage crisis; stagflation; energy crisis; Reagan's conservative revolution
Reagan Revolution began; 'Reagan Democrats' realigned; hostages released 20 minutes after his inauguration
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