Reagan's Victory: The Presidential Election of 1980 and the Rise of the Right

American Presidential Elections

by Andrew E. Busch

Many have pointed to the Iran hostage crisis, others to galloping inflation. In reality, as Andrew Busch makes clear, Ronald Reagan's defeat of President Jimmy Carter in 1980 was attributable to more than any one issue, no matter how galvanizing. It marked the growing ascendancy of conservative attitudes that had been brewing for two decades—and marked the clear end of the era of New Deal liberalism.

Busch offers the first comprehensive study of this contest, going beyond journalistic accounts to show why it remains one of the truly landmark elections of the past century. Through a compelling story full of colorful characters, unexpected plot twists, and dramatic finales, he reveals how it both reflected the politics of its time and foreshadowed our nation's political future.

Beginning with Carter's "crisis of confidence" speech on July 15, 1979, Busch introduces the field of candidates, follows their campaigns through the primaries and general election, identifies the key turning points and winning strategies, and assesses the results, including the GOP's first Senate majority in twenty-six years. He shows how the Democrats were weakened by the demise of the New Deal coalition and a decline in public confidence, while Republicans were bolstered by the growth of the conservative movement and by all that had gone wrong during the Carter presidency. He also examines the creation of a Sunbelt coalition, the growing influence of religious conservatives, and the independent candidacy of John Anderson, which held Reagan's majority to 51 percent and foreshadowed Ross Perot's 1992 run.

Reagan's victory marked a major turning point in American presidential history, realigned the demographics of party affiliation throughout the nation (especially in the nation's Sunbelt), and gave conservatives their first real victory in their fight against Big Government. Busch's book recaptures the people and events of that historic campaign and greatly enlarges our understanding of American politics from the 1960s to the present.

Genres: American History, Politics

248 pages, Paperback

First published November 11, 2005

Reviews

[Earl Ecklund III · Rating 4 out of 5]

in this book Andrew Busch gives an overview of the 1980 campaign for president, the election and it's legacy as of 2005 (when it was written). Busch begins with a summary of how the United States had gone from the prosperous early 1960s to the economic and political struggles that dominated the 1970s. Busch next examines the contenders for the Presidency in 1980 including Bob Dole, George H. W. Bush, John Anderson, Phil Crane, Howard Baker, Teddy Kennedy, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.

Busch quickly covers the primary seasons that quickly anointed Carter and Reagan as the respective nominees and Anderson's decision to pursue an third party candidacy. The general Election campaign is covered as well but the bulk of the final third of the book is devoted to Reagan's victory, Carter's loss, the republican gain in Congress and at the state level and their long term effects. Busch at length defends Reagan's legacy against many of the criticisms that have been leveled over the years since his leaving office.

a very good read for anyone interested in Ronald Reagan, and American Political History.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

For being such important parts of our nation's history, it is frustratingly difficult to find quality accounts of American presidential elections. Busch's book on the pivotal 1980 election is as good a history of the race as one can imagine coming 30+ years after the fact. Key to Busch's success is his willingness to state the obvious at the risk of appearing non-neutral. You cannot discuss Reagan's victory without acknowledging at least the public perception that big-government liberalism had failed, no more than you could acknowledge FDR's initial victory was due in large part to the perceived failures of Hoover. Having an author who accepts and conveys public sentiments rather than forcibly arguing against them (although Busch frequently, but gently, highlights when perception didn't match reality) allows the reader to fully understand the various factors that led to Reagan's victory. Essential reading as we head towards the 2024, as many current issues were at the center of the 1980 race.

[Jason S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting facts about this election, but approaches the topic for a rather right wing view, especially in the first chapter when discussing America in the late 1970s.