There You Go Again Analysis

On the campaign trail, Reagan emphasized the communist threat abroad. He was sure to stress the critical effects that big government has already taken on the nation’s economy, however, Reagan was not known for having any actual solutions or remedies for issues, except income tax cuts. Reagan did not necessarily have all the numbers and facts, but his charm and charisma is what seemed to win the people over. His assurance and confidence in manner he spoke captured the hearts of the American people. Jimmy Carter spent a lot of his campaign attempting to stain his opposition as an “extremist” that would divide America. This would have him accused of being a “mean” campaigner. On October 28, 1980, the first and only debate between the two presidential
As the camera pans, over to Reagan, a huge grin is painted over his face. This begins to distract the viewer’s attentions away from Carter’s “boring” policy talk, and has one wondering what Governor Reagan is smiling about. Carter finishes his point with “…Governor Reagan again, typically, is against such a proposal.” (History.com, There You Go Again). As the camera turns to Reagan for a response, he pridefully cocks his head and responds with a simple “There you go again.”. The audience begins to laugh, and completely disregard the point President Carter was trying to make. With a simple “one liner”, Reagan made it so that Carter’s attack on Reagan was now deemed untrue by the audience. Thus, discrediting everything else Carter had just said. Reagan successfully struck down Carter’s “boring” policy detail. Perhaps the greatest point made by the governor during the debate was when he turned and looked to the camera and asked the American people “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” (Reagan, Debate of October 28th, 1980) and the answer was obvious for most Americans, that they were in fact