Why did Reagan win the election 1980?

Answer 1

Not only won it, but by the largest margin ever for a non-incumbent president. The US had been undergoing high inflation, high unemployment, high interest rates, fuel shortages, and was being attacked by militant forces in Iran. Carter was seen as a weak and ineffective leader.

Answer 2

Jimmy Carter, (Democrat), was a failed President. The economy was terrible, there were American hostages held in Iran for 444 days, there was a failed attempt to rescue the hostages that resulted in the crash of a plane and a helicopter. Many Americans were killed in the crash, and it was a terrible embarrassment for the nation. There were long lines at the gas pumps. Americans felt badly about the present and were worried about the future. Prior to being President, Jimmy Carter was Governor of Georgia, and being President of the USA was far too much for him. There was only major achievement of President Carter during his administration; A peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. The peace treaty also owed a lot to work done by CBS news journalist Walter Cronkite working on behalf of Israel and Egypt. Former California Governor Ronald Reagan (who almost defeated Republican President Gerald Ford for the nomination of the party in 1976), looked like a far more capable person to lead the nation than President Carter. The result was a landslide victory for Ronald Reagan, and the American hostages held in Iran were released within minutes after President Reagan was inaugurated.

Answer 3

Not only won it, but by the largest margin ever for a non-incumbent president. The US had been undergoing high inflation, high unemployment, high interest rates, fuel shortages, and was being attacked by militant forces in Iran. Carter was seen as a weak and ineffective leader.