{January 29, 1981 – January 20, 1989

Ronald Reagan

Background

40th President of the United States Spent most of his life prior to taking office

as a Democrat In 1980, as the Republican nominee, he

appointed George H. Bush as his Vice President

“Directly in front of me, the monument to a monumental man, George Washington, father of our country. A man of humility who came to greatness reluctantly. He led America out of revolutionary victory into infant nationhood. Off to one side, the stately memorial to Thomas Jefferson. The Declaration of Independence flames with his eloquence. And then, beyond the Reflecting Pool, the dignified columns of the Lincoln Memorial. Whoever would understand in his heart the meaning of America will find it in the life of Abraham Lincoln.”

Inaugural Speech

I think this quote referencing some of our founding fathers is one that is common during inaugural addresses. It’s merely an act as the President assumes his role and fulfills his duty of referencing former Presidents. However, I think it is also a way of hoping that one day the he (the President) would be counted among these great individuals. Reagan as an actor, recited this speech with such eloquence as if he was reciting a monologue from a great Shakespeare play.

Thoughts on this quote

Jimmy Carter (1980 debate)

“Next Tuesday all of you will go to the polls. You’ll stand there in the polling place and make a decision. I think when you make that decision it might be well if you would ask yourself. Are you better off than you were four years ago?”

Link to video clip.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=8EvFQLhqWPQ#action=share1980 Debate, Referencing Jimmy Carter

Reagan’s point in asking the memorable question concerning Jimmy Carter’s time in office reveals how he viewed the economy after Carter’s term.

He speaks about unemployment, national security, and the role of government. From what I observed, I would say that Reagan was establishing his role as a leader of the GOP in emphasizing small government and ensuring America’s security.

Thoughts on his reference

Based on this quote, I would conclude that Reagan definitely had a way of relating to the American people by personalizing his remarks to make his speech more about them rather than himself.

I love the way he did not directly tell Americans to vote for him, instead, he presented the facts and asked them to decide. It was as if he made them in charge of their own destiny.

His way of communicating to the American people definitely set him apart from other presidents. (Maybe his acting skills were paying off).

Thoughts continued…

Allen, Cooper. "Call Him the Quipper: 10 Memorable Reagan Quotes." <i>USA Today</i>. N.p., 4 June 2014. Web. 24 June 2015. &lt;http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Fnation-now%2F2014%2F06%2F05%2Fronald-reagan-president-quotes%2F9879899%2F&gt;.

"Inaugural Address - January 20, 1981." Inaugural Address - January 20, 1981. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 June 2015. http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1981/12081a.htm

Sources