NBC news projects at about 8:15 PM that Ronald Reagan is elected President. The early NBC projections sparked controversies inside and outside the media. A mayor protested that it “effectively ended the races even before the polls in her area are closed.” A CBS commentator called it “small beer.” ABC was caught under pressure and Walter Cronkite was forced to explain to viewers what was happening. Also, this was the first time that exit polls were used by a network as the sole basis for projecting a winner for a state. Later on, David Brinkley will call it a “suburban swimming pool,” while others call it “Lake Reagan.” And of course, NBC News team was more than happy to have that win as the earliest network to announce a winner at the time they are facing problems with Chancellor being defeated by Reynolds and Cronkite. Also, America saw three generations of NBC anchormen. David Brinkley of Huntley-Brinkley Report fame, his successor (and sometimes co-anchor) John Chancellor, and in turn Chancellor’s successor Tom Brokaw (who was then announcing the Today show).
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@ironcitydevildog Notwithstanding the fact that he could have vetoed those tax raises, which he didnt, “saving american lives” isnt an excuse for negotiating with terrorists. Ollie North armed Nicaraguan Contra deathsquads; hardly someone worth revering You also didnt address the FACT that he cut and run from Lebanon, and gave amnesty (he actually used that word) to illegal immigrants.
@Texfield91 They must have been piss-poor pollings. (He unseated Gerald Ford in 1976 by a national margin of 2.06%.) A 25-point margin of victory for a two-party duopoly hasn’t happened. (Close calls to that level, though, such as with Lyndon Johnson, in 1964, and Richard Nixon, in 1972.) That would be either 61%-36% or 62%-37%. Unrealistic. Did people take that seriously? Especially since Jimmy Carter was in the 30s% (job-approval percentile range) for a good amount of 1979 leading into 1980.
@altfactor , I’ m from Massachusetts, I feel like a an American living in the former Soviet Union.
@altfactor , yes, I am aware of this. I so wish that all of America can turn to a candidate that is Reaganlike at this time. We desprately need this.
@Truth77Absolute Reagan carried Massachusetts twice, the only Republican Presidential candidate to have done so even once since Eisenhower.
@jerzy862 #1 the Democratic house and congress he had in place screwed him with the taxes being raised, just like they did Bush Sr. #2 The Iran Contra deal was done to save American lives and American Marines, that is why Olly North is still revered in the Corps!!! He defeated the Soviet Threat. He united America. He had leadership that saved this country. That is why we like him, I only worship Jesus Christ, and Reagan believed in the Constitution. These new liberals only want power/socialism.
@ironcitydevildog What did I say that wasn’t true? Every one of my assertions is covered in any standard history book. We aren’t talking about Obama right now, we are discussing Reagan. I am only curious as to why conservatives worship this man so much. It is a fact that he did every single thing that I mentioned. Im wondering if you actually knew about these things, or choose to ignore them or what?
If you actually look at his record I dont see how he can truly represent conservative values.
@jerzy862 Oh go blow Obama socialist. What they fuck has anyone done here lately. THEY ALL RAISE TAXES!!!! How much has Obama spent in the last 3 years??? Way more than Reagan even dreamed of. Sounds like you are talking about Obama to me not Reagan.
@CoolBlue71 Like i said, in MARCH, 1980, Reagan was 25 points behind Carter. In mid-SEPTEMBER, 5 weeks before the election, Reagan and Carter were deadlocked at 39% each. the sources are two national polls (one in March and one in Sept.) done by Time.
@ironcitydevildog the guy who cut and run from lebanon? who raised taxes over a dozen times? who gave amnesty to illegal immigrants? who gave us record deficits? who negotiated with terrorists in the Iran-Contra scandal? THAT ronald reagan?
@GIONELLIO Carter has said he will spend the rest of his life “apologizing for losing to Ronald Reagan.” Jimmy, STOP APOLOGIZING!
Carter still cannot accept this defeat.
Reagan even won Massachusetts. Now that tells you how much of a blowout this was. reagan is the last Republican to win Massachusetts. He also won Mass. in 1984.
@NWsubmom
“Miss Reagan. Nobama 2012.”
I see you never taken a logic course.
Nice ambiguity calling Reagan a woman. Was your plan to insult two presidents of the USA in one comment?
@Texfield91 Do you have a source for “Reagan was trailing Carter by 25 percentage points!” 5 weeks before the election”?
Imagine, earlier in March of 1980 Reagan was trailing Carter by 25 percentage points! 5 weeks before the election Reagan and Carter were tied at 39% each. they said he was unelectable. Good reason not to listen to the establishment hacks who say certain candidates are “unelectable” in this next election.
Haha those states are so poorly drawn. Look at virginia, it looks nothing like that. But yeah, Reagan won this in an all time blowout.
GOD HOW I MISS ROCKIN RONALD REAGAN!!!!! THE GREATEST OF AMERICAN PRESIDENTS!!!!!!
Playing risk ?
One of the darker days for the U.S.
Miss Reagan. Nobama 2012.
Is this 2012 election night?
I love how they mention “light grey” for black & white TVs!
@msmithstud Carter still is a joke.
Good lord, did a second grader draw this map?
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Truth is a new just simply short-term illusion the result of a lack of alcohol consumption within the bloodstream.