1980

In the presidential election of 1980 Ronald Reagan, the governor of California (1967-1975) ran along with George H.W. Bush against the incumbent president Jimmy Carter and his running mate Walter Mondale. Carter's image was damaged during his previous term where there was the gas crisis, the return of the Panama canal to Panama, the soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the Iran hostage crisis (which was sill going on during the election). Reagan's campaign stressed state's rights, strengthening the economy and lowering taxes. Reagan won 50.7% of the popular vote while Carter took 41%. During the debates Reagan asked as his closing remarks "Are you //better off// now than you were four years ago?..." which were powerful words to voters.

During his campaign, Carter was mocked for [|an encounter with a swimming rabbit] while fishing on a farm pond on [|April 20], [|1979].