University of Texas Austin - Cactus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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I Texas is Un-Reaganable was just one sign that sprouted up during the candidates ' swings through Austin. Photo by Cris Bouroncle Mo ' Ron and Fritzbusters were on the tongues and car bumpers of Americans everywhere. On campus, bumper stickers and but- tons were passed out by the thousands. Students kept up with the issues by at- tending the many rallies and debates across the campus sponsored by Univer- sity organiz ations such as the Young Republicans, the University Democrats and Texas College Republicans. Many students also took an active part in the election by volunteering their time at phone banks and campaign head- quarters, and by walking the precincts distributing election propaganda. Among the issues of the presidential campaign were the economy, the large deficit, national defense and abortion rights. Reagan ' s past four years gave America an improved economy, reduced inflation and a brighter outlook for future prosperity. He also gave America its largest deficit in history, and no clear cut plan on how to reduce that figure. ustin ' n preHH corps was out in force at political events The media wanted to report first-hand the events of the campaign. Photo by Cris Bouroncle National Campaign 53

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VlCTORY ' 84 United Press International WASHINGTON - President Reagan launched his second term Monday, calling for a new American economic emancipation, as an arctic freeze forc- ed cancellation of all outdoor In- auguration Day activities for the first time in history. by MARCIA CROOK The presidential and senatorial cam- paigns of 1984 brought many historical firsts to American politics. Among these were the first woman vice presidential candidate and the first vice presidential debates. Also unusual were the election of Phil Gramm to the U.S. Senate as a Republican, after he had resigned his Democratic seat in the House, and a sharp national trend toward conservatism. Gramm ' s victory against Democrat Lloyd Doggett ended one of the most bitter senatorial races in Texas history. Both candidates accused the other of ig- noring the issues and running a negative campaign. Gramm ' s victory was not a victory of an individual. It was not a vic- tory of a party, Gramm said. It was a triumph of a philosophy. It showed a welling up of pride and confidence in America. This feeling was evident in the presidential election as well. Beginning almost a year prior to the elections, the Republican incumbents Ronald Reagan and George Bush, and the Democratic candidates Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro hit the campaign trail. Slogans such as Four More Years, Bringing America Back, No Austin became a flurry of activity during the summer as many prepared for a long-awaited visit from President Ronald Reagan. Photo by Crit Bouroncle - 52 National Campaign

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Victory ' 84 Daily accounts of the campaign were front page news at the print media, and television helped build up and break down each candidate for the public. Time magazine played a major role in getting the complete campaign coverage to Americans. According to one Time reporter, The election was dominated, first to last, by four P ' s: Prosperity, Peace, Patriotism and Personality. When America voted on Nov. 6, 1984, there was not much doubt about who would win. The question of many was would Ronald Reagan win by a landslide. The answer was a resounding Yes. Reagan carried 49 states and received 525 electoral votes as compared to Mon- dale ' s 13 electoral votes. These results expressed the mood of a nation rallying behind a president who had built up the Walter Mondale made headlines by bringing hemlines to the executive campaign trail. Geraldine Farraro, a New York congresswoman, was the first female candidate for vice president. Photo by Cris Rouroncle Derrick Dolls and IT cheerleaders were on hand to present cowboy hata to President Reagan and Vice President George Bush. The Dolls were cheerleaders for the Houston Oilers. Photo by Cris Bouroncle Debate raged in the Texas Union Nov. 6 as election returns came in. One student, Kevin Lewis, a Plan II sophomore, was cut by a thrown beer bottle as taunts turned to violence. Photo by Marci Doane economy, the military and the national pride. And with no re-election worries, Reagan ruffled feathers by vetoing a farm aid bill in February and lobbying intensely for the MX missile before arms talks with the Soviet Union. The president created his own challenge, though: America ' s best days are yet to come. You ain ' t seen nothin ' yet. Young and old alike came to Austin political rallies. Reagan campaigners marshaled their strongest efforts to swing Texas to the Republicans. Photo by Cris Houroncle v . 54 National Campaign