The Election of 1980 + The Independent Party

Tuesday - May 6, 2025

What was the nation’s average inflation percentage during Carter’s Presidency?

13%

How many US hostages were kept in Iran for 444 days?

52

How many days were 52 US hostages kept in Iran for?

444

After Carter’s Presidency, did Americans began questioning whether former governor candidates were most fit for Presidency?

Yes

Who was the Democratic Party’s representative in the Election of 1980?

Jimmy Carter

Who intra-party challenged Jimmy Carter?

Ted Kennedy

How’s Ten Kennedy well-known?

He’s JFK & RFK’s brother

How did Ted Kennedy get his license suspended?

In 1969, he caused a DUI crash & killed someone

How was Ted Kennedy’s endorsement for Jimmy Carter?

awkward, soft

How did Ted Kennedy’s awkward endorsement make Jimmy Carter look?

weak

Who was the Republican Party’s representative in the Election of 1980?

Ronald Reagan

What past occupations did Ronald Reagan have?

governor of California, former actor

Where was Reagan born?

What was his early life like?

Illinois, average household, alcoholic dad

Where did Reagan supporters believe his patient, joking personality came from?

Him having an alcoholic dad

What kind of voters did Reagan resonate with because of his upbringing?

The Silent Majority + Midwesterners

When was Reagan governor of California?

1966 - 1975

How did Californians feel about Ronald Reagan?

They loved him

What kind of democrats could Reagan reach out to?

Small D Democrats (moderate)

How did Reagan appeal to Northeastern voters?

He promised lower taxes for everybody

How was Reagan expecting to fix inflation by lowering taxes for everyone?

He hoped rich people would create new businesses & provide more jobs

How did Reagan appeal to the South?

By subtly being against Roe v Wade

What is Roe vs Wade?

A court case making abortion legal on a federal level

Where did Reagan nominate judges from who sought to tear down Roe vs Wade?

South Carolina

In the Election of 1980, what was the third political party called?

The Independent Party

Who ran as representative of the Independent Party?

John Anderson

John Anderson was an insider with how many years of experience in the House of Representatives?

20 years

How did John Anderson share his moderate, detailed platform planks?

He wrote 350 pages on his policies

When was the 1st debate of the election of 1980?

September 9, 1980

What happened on September 9, 1980?

The 1st Debate between Reagan & Anderson

When was the 2nd debate of the election of 1980?

September 28, 1980

What happened on September 28, 1980?

The 2nd Debate between Carter & Reagan

Why was Carter & Reagan’s debate so significant?

It was most watched, 85 minutes, and Reagan asked Americans, “Are you better off now than you were 4 years before?”