Changes

In 1984, Reagan stood for reelection against Walter Mondale, the former Vice President under Jimmy Carter.  Mondale promised to raise taxes.  In the first of two debates, Reagan's mind had been stuffed with facts by his advisers preparing him, and Reagan did poorly.  Mondale pulled nearly even in the polls.  For the second and final debate, conservatives demanded that his advisers "let Reagan be Reagan."  Free to be himself, Reagan thoroughly destroyed Mondale in the second debate and even showed a great deal of class in politely accepting the moderator's cutting his closing short (due to time constraints).  Reagan then won one of the biggest landslide victories in U.S. history.

In 1984, Reagan stood for reelection against Walter Mondale, the former Vice President under Jimmy Carter.  Mondale promised to raise taxes.  In the first of two debates, Reagan's mind had been stuffed with facts by his advisers preparing him, and Reagan did poorly.  Mondale pulled nearly even in the polls.  For the second and final debate, conservatives demanded that his advisers "let Reagan be Reagan."  Free to be himself, Reagan thoroughly destroyed Mondale in the second debate and even showed a great deal of class in politely accepting the moderator's cutting his closing short (due to time constraints).  Reagan then won one of the biggest landslide victories in U.S. history.

In 1985, Reagan began authorizing the sale of arms to Iran in exchange for its work to free some American hostages held kidnapped and helped captive in the Middle East.  Two years later this would turn into the "Iran-Contra" scandal, as the proceeds of those sales were intended to be sent to anti-communist freedom fighters in Nicaragua (the "Contras").  Congress, which was controlled by Democrats, had passed a law prohibiting funding of the Contras, and saw this as a violation of that law.  Reagan was never charged with any crime, however.  This became known as the "arms for hostages" deal.

In 1985, Reagan began authorizing the sale of arms to Iran in exchange for its work to free some American hostages held kidnapped and held captive in the Middle East.  Two years later this would turn into the "Iran-Contra" scandal, as the proceeds of those sales were intended to be sent to anti-communist freedom fighters in Nicaragua (the "Contras").  Congress, which was controlled by Democrats, had passed a law prohibiting funding of the Contras, and saw this as a violation of that law.  Reagan was never charged with any crime, however.  This became known as the "arms for hostages" deal.

In 1986, Reagan cut taxes much further.  He also met with Gorbachev (the leader of the Soviet Union) in Reykjavik, Iceland to negotiate an arms reduction deal.  Gorbachev was willing to give Reagan almost anything he wanted in return for just one demand:  abandon the Star Wars (SDI) program.  Reagan stuck to his conservative principles and refused, despite enormous media and world pressure to give in.  Reagan left Iceland with the media criticizing and ridiculing him for not reaching a deal.  It was obvious that Reagan was not trying merely to be popular; rather, he was trying to do what was best for America.

In 1986, Reagan cut taxes much further.  He also met with Gorbachev (the leader of the Soviet Union) in Reykjavik, Iceland to negotiate an arms reduction deal.  Gorbachev was willing to give Reagan almost anything he wanted in return for just one demand:  abandon the Star Wars (SDI) program.  Reagan stuck to his conservative principles and refused, despite enormous media and world pressure to give in.  Reagan left Iceland with the media criticizing and ridiculing him for not reaching a deal.  It was obvious that Reagan was not trying merely to be popular; rather, he was trying to do what was best for America.