Study Guide for Gillon Ch 13 p. 294-306

· Why do you think Gillon chooses to open Chapter 13 with a description of Reagan’s inaugural celebration?

· What was Reagan’s view of government: problem or solution? According to Reagan, what changes did Americans need to make in order to move ahead?

· What did Reagan mean when he discussed “special interest groups”?

· How did Reagan’s leadership encompass paradox? What were the contradictions during his time in office?

· Where did Reagan’s pet phrase “win one for the Gipper” come from?

· Why was the 1964 Goldwater campaign significant for Reagan’s political career?

· What political office did Reagan hold before seeking the presidency?

· How did Reagan’s acting career work to his advantage during his presidency? Describe his style. How did the Reagan administration manage (or control) public relations and media coverage?

· What were the three components of Reagan’s economic plan?

· What terrible thing happened to Reagan shortly after he took office? How did it affect his popularity and why?

· What does Gillon argue is the “contradiction inherent in America’s view of government”? How did Reagan contribute to it?

· What did Reagan’s economic policies contribute to in 1982-1983? What was Reagan’s advice, and was he right?

· How did Reagan handle the high level of government regulation?

· Was Reagan a pro-union president?

· Were his cabinet appointments pro- or anti-regulation? What does deregulation mean, and how did it play out during Reagan’s terms? What happened in the banking (S & L) industry?

· How did Reagan reshape the Supreme Court? What was the implication for civil liberties – civil rights?

· What was Reagan’s strategy for the 1984 campaign?

· Who was the Democratic candidate in ’84, and who did he select as his running mate? How did they fare in the election?

· Describe the extent of Reagan’s victory in 84 and Time magazine’s “thank you” (for what?)