11 December 2010

Gipper's Greatest Hits: Ronald Reagan Announces his Candidacy for President of the United States - November 1979


On November 13, 1979, the US economy was slipping into recession as gas lines formed around the country. Rather than inspiring and leading, President Carter warned of "malaise" and nagged us to put on a sweater. 

 Just nine days earlier, our citizens had been kidnapped and held hostage by Muslim radicals in Iran. Unsettingly, the Soviet Union had already gained practical military superiority on Carter's watch as well.

 But on that day a principled, brave man with towering leadership ability -as true a patriot as this country's ever seen- offered Americans the promise of a better way...