Reagan, a Republican and former governor of California, announced his third presidential bid in a nationally televised speech from New York City in 1979.

He campaigned extensively for the primaries after losing the Iowa caucus to former congressman and director of the Central Intelligence Agency Bush.

[4] While endorsing the Republican presidential nominee Barry Goldwater, he gave his famous "A Time for Choosing" speech, which earned him national attention as a new conservative spokesman.

[17] During the speech, he never directly mentioned President Carter but called the current administration's energy policies an "utter fiasco" and blamed government spending and deficits for high inflation.

[20]In a press conference the same day, Reagan named a young U.S. representative, Jack Kemp, as one of his chief campaign spokespersons.

[36] Bush defeated Anderson and won the Massachusetts primary with a margin of 0.34 percent, although both received equal numbers of delegates.

[40] With the Illinois primary approaching, the League of Women Voters sponsored a debate between Reagan, Bush, Anderson, and Crane.

[42] Reagan continued to win many other primaries and caucuses, although Bush won states like Connecticut, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.

Columnist Jack Germond and Jules Witcover wrote in their book Blue Smoke & Mirrors that Reagan's vice-presidential selection began as early as May 1980.

In late May and early June, Dick Wirthlin conducted polls showing that in each category tested Ford rated ahead of all other Republicans being mentioned as possible running mates.

[51] Reagan's other prospects were Bush, Howard Baker, William Simon, Donald Rumsfeld, Richard Lugar, Jack Kemp, Guy Vander Jagt, and Paul Laxalt.

[44] In a 1992 interview, he recalled the biggest obstacle he faced as an independent candidate was having to qualify for ballot access in 50 states and the District of Columbia.

[70] They claimed he was ineligible for the cash as independent groups with well-known Republican members had donated up to $60 million (equivalent to $221,873,990 in 2023) for Reagan's campaign.

[67] On July 30, 1980, a Senate committee concluded that Billy had lied to justice examiners,[72] but ultimately found no evidence that he had influenced American policy.

[73] Reagan promised a restoration of the nation's military strength at a time when 60 percent of Americans polled felt defense spending was too low.

While giving a speech at the Neshoba County Fair in early August, Reagan used the term 'state's rights', and also referred to 'Cadillac-driving welfare queens' and 'strapping young bucks buying T-bone steaks with food stamps'.

[76] Some also saw these actions as an extension of the "southern strategy" developed by President Richard Nixon to garner white support for Republican candidates.

[77] According to the historian Joseph Crespino, the speech was pre-written, and Reagan's visit to the Neshoba County was designed to reach out to the voters inclined toward segregationist George Wallace.

[103] While traveling during his campaign in South Dakota, Reagan told his press secretary Lyn Nofziger, "I think it's about time we consider a debate.

[107] Howard K. Smith moderated the debate, and the showdown resulted in among the highest ratings of any television program in the previous decade.

As the debate continued, Carter repeatedly pressed Reagan to explain his earlier statements opposing Social Security.

[116] Following his solo debate with President Carter on October 28, Reagan overcame the largest deficit since Gallup polling began in 1936.

These visitors to that city on the Potomac do not come as white or black, red or yellow; they are not Jews or Christians; conservatives or liberals; or Democrats or Republicans.

[119]On November 4, Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush defeated Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale in a landslide victory.

[129] The matter was never resolved as both the FBI and a congressional subcommittee reporting in May 1984 failed to determine how or through whom the briefing book came to the Reagan campaign.

[130] The Justice Department, in closing its investigation, cited "the professed lack of memory or knowledge on the part of those in possession of the documents".

[131] Reagan was re-elected in 1984 with an overwhelming majority winning every state except Minnesota and the District of Columbia, which were won by his opponent, Walter Mondale.

[132] During his term as president, Reagan pursued policies that reflected his personal belief in individual freedom, brought economic changes, expanded the military, and contributed to the end of the Cold War.

[133] Termed the "Reagan Revolution", his presidency would boost American morale,[134] reinvigorate the U.S. economy and reduce reliance upon government.

"[138] David Broder, a political reporter and columnist for The Washington Post, summed up the result of the Nashua debate in a campaign song "Joshua Fit the Battle".