Presidential Politics:
Richard Nixon, election – VP: Agnew Diplomacy in China/Détente New federalism—transfer of power to state EPA 1972 election VP scandal Oil Crisis/stagflation Watergate scandal/Resignation
Gerald Ford, Interim president, only one never elected – VP: Nelson Rockefeller Seen as ineffectual, bumbling, but trustworthy inherited a bad economy Pardoned Nixon
Jimmy Carter, election – VP: Walter Mondale “man of the people” from Plains, Georgia Failing economy & Stagflation Camp David Accords Iran hostage crisis
Ronald Reagan, election VP: George Bush Rise of conservatism/moral majority (Barry Goldwater in 1964) Reaganomics—deregulation, cutting taxes Escalated arms race— “Star Wars” 1984 election landslide – “Morning in America” AIDS/GRID Iran-Contra Scandal End of Cold War
George Bush, election – VP: Dan Quayle Fall of Berlin Wall & end of Cold War First Gulf War 1992 election The faltering economy
Bill Clinton, election (vs. Perot, Bush) – VP: Al Gore Economic expansion, globalization, NAFTA 1994 Republican Revolution (Gingrich) 1996 election Lewinsky scandal/impeachment
George W. Bush, election (vs. Al Gore) – VP: Dick Cheney – Bush v. Gore Supreme Court Case 9/11 Patriot Act Wars in Iraq & Afghanistan
Barack Obama, 2009-present 2008 election (vs. John McCain) 2012 election (vs. Mitt Romney)