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THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE PRESIDENCY AND US POLITICS WAS REVITALISED -…
THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE PRESIDENCY AND US POLITICS WAS REVITALISED
PRESIDENCY
During Reagan's first few years, he set an image that people retained of him. The fact that he did less than what his supporters had hoped was less noticeable.
The slowdown of change was hidden behind the way he projected a presidential image and his foreign affairs success (e.g. ending of the Cold War).
He looked and played the part of the kind of president Americans wanted to see. The public felt he was sincere and capable.
Additionally, approval ratings were high after the assassination attempt and congress felt they had to go along with Reagan's wishes.
Reagan's initial success in congress was not repeated.
Reasons why not all of the changes he promised were brought in:
Legislation blocked by congress e.g. laws to cut back on busing.
Reagan was advised against some legislation, and was prepared to listen to this advice and be flexible.
For example, he believed that daily prayer should be introduced in schools, but he was advised they congress would never approve it, so he didn't bring in a bill on it.
The Iran-Contra Affair: White house officials had supplied arms to Iran in order to free several US hostages. They also used money from the arms sales to support Contra rebels, and also provided them with weapons. They did all of this without the agreement of congress, and went against policies of neutrality.
Just like Watergate, the president lied to congress and the public by denying it, and saying that he didn't know about it. When it became clear that Reagan was involved, it did damage the presidency.
Caused a fall in Reagan's approval ratings from 64% to 44%.
Reagan demonstrated that the presidency was not week or ineffective. He got the budget he wanted in 1981 and was very popular. (approval rating was 68 when he first became president)
At the same time as Iran-Contra, Reagan ended the cold war. Americans give Reagan most of the credit and believed his increase in defence spending helped.
Reagan established a good working relationship with Soviet leader.
Reagan left office with the highest popularity rating of any outgoing president since polls begun, suggesting he did revitalise the presidency,
The situation in 1980
Public confidence in political leaders at an all time low
Reagan's 4 predecessors left office perceived as failures
LBJ's Vietnam war, Nixon's Watergate, incompetence of Ford and Carter had undermined Americans' faith in their president.
Revitalise: give new life and vitality.
AFTER REAGAN
PRESIDENCY
Bush and Clinton weren't as good at projecting a presidential image that distracted from their 'inaction'. Bush didn't get re-elected for a second term and Clinton had an approval rating of 55.
Bush:
less flexible.
less charm with congress and public.
less support in congress.
poor communicator.
less support in congress (45 senate compared to Reagan having 54).
Clinton:
struggled to get legislation passed.
was charismatic.
great political ability.
sex scandals
Clinton did develop considerable skill in getting what he wanted from congress.
US POLITICS
New right thinking:
Reagan united a significant number of politicians under a conservative coalition, which enabled him to push through early legislation.
coalition against lazy and welfare dependent poor.
Revitalised politicians:
Many republicans saw their victories as a swing to their way of thinking, instead of democrat mistakes.
More Americans in the 80s and 90s cared about liberal ideals.
democrats were a very divided party.
DLC created to revitalise the democrat party, promoted by Clinton. Democrats shifted closer to conservative thinking, but still emphasised social welfare.
Democrats said they would abolish welfare and provide support.
Changes to the political environment:
Reagan brought business back to govt.
money was no longer something to be shy about having.
Christian right became more involved in political issues under Reagan such as abortion
Tv ownership grew, but viewing figures for presidential debates dropped. 1970s- 60 million, 1980s- 81 million. Future debates in 84,88,92,96 never went above 60 million, and the 96 debate only had about 36 million viewers.
Reagan was a popular president who changed the view of the public, media and political parties.