1980 General Election (No Reagan)

[Orthogonian Society Treasurer]

Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford once again have won the nominations of their respective parties. Congressman John Anderson teased an independent run but demurred after receiving policy assurances from Ford. Attempts to draft Frank Borman as an independent conservative candidate failed. Both men endorsed Ford.

Re-Elect the President

President Carter is fighting for his political life.  Having narrowly survived a primary challenge from Ted Kennedy, the president now faces the unenviable task of seeking re-election with an economy in free-fall, Americans being held hostage overseas, and a general sense of malaise hanging over the country. Carter has failed to restore the American people's confidence in the presidency. Nevertheless, President Carter is asking for another four year mandate, claiming that the nation needs a captain with a steady hand and that he is that captain.

Ford 1980: Jerry is For Us

Gerald Ford is promising a return to normalcy, a balanced budget, reduced inflation, and to reassert America's influence abroad. In his own words, Ford is running to "make us proud again".

2 days.

[Orthogonian Society Treasurer]

[Orthogonian Society Treasurer]

Will you be continuing on this series to THE CURRENT YEAR?

If people keep voting and I'm still having fun writing entries, I'll continue on until IT'S 2016.

[Orthogonian Society Treasurer]

President James Carter/Vice President Walter Mondale - 75 EV
Former President Gerald Ford/Senator Howard Baker - 463 EV

The result of the 1980 campaign was never truly in doubt. Polling at the outset of the campaign showed Ford beating Carter 75-25 nationally, sweeping every state from Washington to Florida and Maine to California. Ultimately, a decent showing on the debate stage and an energetic last-minute campaign tour through the South allowed Carter to hold on to the Deep South, West Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts. Carter saved himself from the humiliation of a fifty state sweep, but 56% of the voting public had cast their ballots for the Republican candidate. Ford had unquestionably received a mandate.