1982 Republicans were not at all ENTHUSIASTIC.

[denem]

Not withstanding an iconic President,
nor the Economic Recovery Tax (Cuts) Act, 1981,

But there was the small matter of 10.5% unemployment,
and the Saving & Loan crisis.

1982 Mid Term
House Democrats 54.1% (+3.8)
Seats 269 Seats (+27)
Gallup: Reagan Approval 43%

all without a media spun
populist 'anger' movement
nor a 'Dem Fox'.

IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID

[DavidDvorkin]

1. Reagan wasn't iconic at the time.

[denem]

2. Er ... The Evil Empire Speech (June 1982)

for starters.

[DavidDvorkin]

3. Nonetheless, at the time of the 1982 midterms, he was both unpopular and not yet iconic

There was already speculation on the part of some prominent Dems that he wouldn't run for reelection in 1984 because he'd be sure to lose. His elevation to iconic status by worshipful Republicans came later, after the 1984 landslide.

[DFLforever]

4. Sounds even more like 2010 then.

[book_worm]

6. So? his popularity fell down to about 36% in 1983--he wasn't the icon the media spinned him into

in 1982.

[Ter]

7. It was March 8, 1983

http://www.nationalcenter.org/ReaganEvilEmpire1983.html

[Kdillard]

5. So all is lost then.

[Ter]

8. So what are you trying to say, Obama will win re-election by winning 49 states?

Zero percent chance of that happening.

[golfguru]

9. Thank you

you gave me the biggest laugh of the day!

[DemocratSinceBirth]

10. If He Can Bring Unemployment Down To Less Than Eight Percent He Will Come Close

And for every point under eight percent he will come even closer.

[Ter]

12. Maybe, but even at zero percent unemployment, Utah, Idaho, and Alabama are lost causes

Probably Mississippi and Wyoming too. These days, we're too divided for either party to ever win 49 states again.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

11. When I Look Back At That Election It's Interesting The Republicans Didn't Lose A Lot More Seats

~