President Reagan faced no opposition to his renomination as the Republican nomination for President. Senator Walter Mondale Jimmy Carter's Vice President was the front runner throughout the election campaign. His most serious opposition was Senator Gary Hart of Colorado, who ran on a theme of new ideas. Other opponents included Senator Henry Jackson of Washington, and Reverand Jesse Jackson, the first serious Black candidate for President. Mondale was nominated on the first ballot at the Democratic convention in San Francisco. He selected Geraldine Ferraro to be his running mate. Ferraro became the first women to be nominated by a major party.
The election campaign revolved mostly around the issues of deficit and tariff barriers. The traditional role of the Democratic and Republican party were reversed, with the Democrats attacking the Republicans for budget deficits, and the Democrats also calling for more tariff protection.
On the personal level Reagan won his debates with Mondale by using humor to successfully pary one of Mondale crtiticisms- that he was too old, by stating during the debate that he would not use age as issue- he would not criticize Mondale's youth and inexperience.
Reagan won the election with an 18 point margin.
Participation of Eligible Voters: 53.1%
|
