General Discussion

Polybius

(19,872 posts)

20. One radio host said it best on why Reagan was able to win win while Goldwater couldn't

Sat Jan 4, 2025, 02:04 PM

Jan 2025

He said Goldwater represented conservatism with a snarl, while Reagan did it with a smile. He was way, way better in front of the camera than Goldwater, and a better salesman.

I was a small child when Reagan won in 1980, but remember my mom being very upset and saying "I don't understand it." But 1984, she was all-in for Reagan.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

LeftInTX Meadowoak

61 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

I didn't vote for Jimmy Carter in 1976. [View all] milestogo Jan 2025 OP

Carter was my first vote in a presidential election NewHendoLib Jan 2025 #1

Me too! phylny Jan 2025 #30

Same here yliza Jan 2025 #39

Me too! IzzaNuDay Jan 2025 #52

My first presidential pick too. redwitch Jan 2025 #56

I was wrong about Jimmy Carter. I figured he was just another Christian phony running for President. keithbvadu2 Jan 2025 #2

Carter was the 2nd time I voted for a Democrat for President Ritabert Jan 2025 #3

You learned from your mistake. SheltieLover Jan 2025 #4

Your story illustrates your important point: that low-information voters decide the election. n/t Mister Ed Jan 2025 #5

I don't know what percentage of people are low-information voters milestogo Jan 2025 #14

You were young & learned a valuable lesson. CrispyQ Jan 2025 #6

Post removed Post removed Jan 2025 #7

Tombstone pizza on the way. Swede Jan 2025 #9

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2025 #57

Well Hello again!! I'll be sending you our GP6971 Jan 2025 #58

Which Clinton, which election? IbogaProject Jan 2025 #10

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2025 #12

I didn't vote for Carter either ThePartyThatListens Jan 2025 #8

No vote for Carter thanks to Virginia which would not allow me to register under my name Catbird Jan 2025 #11

It's puzzling that this happened to you FakeNoose Jan 2025 #48

I was registered GOP for 20 years IbogaProject Jan 2025 #13

Same here! My parents were GOP and I personally liked Ford anyway. I also didn't trust southern Baptists. LeftInTX Jan 2025 #15

By then I was out of college and working at another university- milestogo Jan 2025 #16

Ha! Reagan came to my campus in Jan 1976. A few of my friends went and protested. LeftInTX Jan 2025 #17

One radio host said it best on why Reagan was able to win win while Goldwater couldn't Polybius Jan 2025 #20

Reagan always seemed fake to me. Goldwater was scary looking to this third grader. LeftInTX Jan 2025 #22

Reagan was incomprehensible to me. milestogo Jan 2025 #23

Reagan was a much more substantial figure in 1980 than Trump was in 2016. Reagan had been the Governor of California Midwestern Democrat Jan 2025 #50

You're right. milestogo Jan 2025 #53

He didn't just seem fake... 3catwoman3 Jan 2025 #27

Thanks for this! ShazzieB Jan 2025 #32

Oh thats funny milestogo Jan 2025 #37

Don't feel bad, I voted for Dole because he was a war hero and my mom said "he looks like a President" Polybius Jan 2025 #18

My first Presidential election was in 1980 Danmel Jan 2025 #19

Look at the electoral map: Sogo Jan 2025 #21

Yes, that 1976 electoral map is shocking! Dem4life1970 Jan 2025 #34

Jimmy Carter was my first vote LetMyPeopleVote Jan 2025 #24

The first time I voted was in 1972 for McGovern Mossfern Jan 2025 #25

Thanks bucolic_frolic Jan 2025 #26

Its like I can never have a straight A report card milestogo Jan 2025 #43

I didn't vote for Carter in 1976 because I didn't want someone from the Deep South in the White House. generalbetrayus Jan 2025 #28

my ex's 1st vote was for raygun. abc mopinko Jan 2025 #29

"I voted for Gerald Ford." J_William_Ryan Jan 2025 #31

My first ever "vote" was for Ford... Dem4life1970 Jan 2025 #33

I've never voted for a Republican for anything. 1972 was my first vote for President and I chose McGovern. jalan48 Jan 2025 #35

Unlike todays Republicans Ford wasn't a bad guy though. nycbos Jan 2025 #36

Ford was a saint compared to the Republicans MAGATs. milestogo Jan 2025 #38

My first opportunity to vote was 1980... CapnSteve Jan 2025 #40

I made the same mistake - only in 1980 when I voted for John Anderson. waterwatcher123 Jan 2025 #41

This is why we must teach our children the Emile Jan 2025 #42

I supported Republicans in high school Elessar Zappa Jan 2025 #44

First time I voted for George H. Bush, yes I was a very uninformed voter. Straight Dem ticket ever since. OverBurn Jan 2025 #45

Voters in 1976 had it very different than voters in 2024 DeeDeeNY Jan 2025 #46

I think I voted for Carter in 1976, but I honestly can't swear to it. ShazzieB Jan 2025 #47

My very first vote was for Al Gore ecstatic Jan 2025 #49

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2025 #59

Really? Enjoying your stay? GP6971 Jan 2025 #60

I didn't either. Iggo Jan 2025 #51

I voted for Ford in 1976 Raine Jan 2025 #54

At least you voted. I was apolitical at the time, and didn't vote. My wife voted for Carter! RedWhiteBlueIsRacist Jan 2025 #55

I regret not voting for Carter either and I was a registered Democrat. La Coliniere Jan 2025 #61