The 1980 presidential debate: Carter vs. Reagan
The 1980 presidential debate: Carter vs. Reagan
Ultimately, Reagan won more than 50 percent of the popular vote.
National Archives/Department of Defense
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National Archives/Department of DefenseUltimately, Reagan won more than 50 percent of the popular vote.
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© UK Parliament Education Service (A Britannica Publishing Partner)Learn about the voting process and different types of elections in the United Kingdom.
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© UK Parliament Education Service (A Britannica Publishing Partner)Learn how general elections work in the United Kingdom in the early 21st century.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Iowa. New Hampshire. Ohio. In the U.S. presidential election, why are some states so important?
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.On October 19, 1987, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 508 points, about 22.6 percent of its value.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.In the United States, Super Tuesday often solidifies the front-runner for each party's presidential nomination.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.O'Connor became the first female U.S. Supreme Court justice on September 25, 1981.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.; thumbnail © Rick Diamond/The Carter CenterJimmy Carter is the longest-lived president in United States history.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Learn more about voting rights and the issue of voter turnout in the 2020 U.S. election in this interview with Iona College political science professor Dr. Jeanne Sheehan Zaino.
Transcript
RONALD REAGAN: Gerald Ford left a five-year projected plan for a military build-up to restore our defenses, and President Carter's administration reduced that by 38%. Cut 60 ships out of the Navy building program that had been proposed, and stopped the B-1, delayed the cruise missiles, stopped the production line for the Minuteman missile, delayed the Trident submarine.
And now he's planning a mobile military force that can be delivered to various spots in the world, which does make me question his assaults on whether I am the one that is quick to look for use of force.
HOWARD K. SMITH: President Carter, you have the last word on this question.
JIMMY CARTER: Well, there are various elements of defense. One is to control nuclear weapons, which I hope we'll get to later on because that's the most important single issue in this campaign. Another one is how to address troubled areas of the world. I think habitually, Governor Reagan has advocated the injection of military forces into troubled areas, when I and my predecessors, both Democrats and Republicans have advocated resolving those troubles and those difficult areas of the world peacefully, diplomatically, and through negotiation.
In addition to that, the buildup of military forces is good for our country because we've got to have military strength in order to preserve the peace. But I'll always remember that the best weapons are the ones that are never fired in combat, and the best soldier is one who never has to lay his life down on the field of battle. Strength is imperative for peace, but the two must go hand in hand.
And now he's planning a mobile military force that can be delivered to various spots in the world, which does make me question his assaults on whether I am the one that is quick to look for use of force.
HOWARD K. SMITH: President Carter, you have the last word on this question.
JIMMY CARTER: Well, there are various elements of defense. One is to control nuclear weapons, which I hope we'll get to later on because that's the most important single issue in this campaign. Another one is how to address troubled areas of the world. I think habitually, Governor Reagan has advocated the injection of military forces into troubled areas, when I and my predecessors, both Democrats and Republicans have advocated resolving those troubles and those difficult areas of the world peacefully, diplomatically, and through negotiation.
In addition to that, the buildup of military forces is good for our country because we've got to have military strength in order to preserve the peace. But I'll always remember that the best weapons are the ones that are never fired in combat, and the best soldier is one who never has to lay his life down on the field of battle. Strength is imperative for peace, but the two must go hand in hand.