1984 Nomination Acceptance Address

On August 23, 1984, at the Dallas Convention Center, Reagan accepts the presidential nomination of the Republican party. Reagan reminds Democrats of the high inflation and interest rates when he took office in 1980 and claims Democrats “never met a tax they didn't like or hike.”

In 1981 “we started a policy of tightening the Federal budget instead of the family budget.” Reagan cites an improved “misery index” (the total of the inflation and unemployment rates) and improved poverty levels.

“In the 4 years before we took office, country after country fell under the Soviet yoke. Since January 20th, 1981, not 1 inch of soil has fallen to the Communists.” (long applause)

America is “more confident than ever” with “the strongest economic growth” and “the fastest rate of job creation”.

We support NATO, Israel, and free Latin American States that “struggle to prevent Communist takeovers fueled massively by the Soviet Union and Cuba.” We rescued “American students on the imprisoned island of Grenada.”

We oppose deficits, and support a balanced budget amendment, the line-item veto, tuition tax credits, enterprise zones, and lower taxes. There is no room for anti-Semitism or bigotry in the party of Lincoln.

With America at peace, “we’re in the midst of a springtime of hope” and see America as “a shining city on a hill.” We look forward to “the Olympic Games here in the United States” and marvel “at the journey of the Olympic torch” across our country.

Audio recording courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

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