1980: Restoring Confidence

Welcome to another episode of The Political Realignment a Hidden History of Texas series

How does a nation recover its confidence?

That question hung over America in 1980.

The Vietnam War was over.

Watergate had moved from breaking news into history.

The Bicentennial optimism of 1976 had faded.

Inflation remained painfully high. Interest rates climbed. Gas lines and energy worries had shaken the confidence of ordinary families. And every night, the Iran hostage crisis reminded Americans that fifty-two of their fellow citizens were still being held captive in Tehran.

Many Americans were anxious.

Some were angry.

Others were simply tired.

Tired of crisis.

Tired of uncertainty.