Election '84: A Preview of the Reagan Revolution, Part Two

Arms control and tax reform are likely to share the spotlight

As Ronald Reagan cruised along on his campaign of good feeling this fall, he was vexingly imprecise about his plans for a second term. He extolled peace and prosperity, but he offered few specific proposals for reducing the deficit or controlling the nuclear arms race.

Reagan tried to explain away his vagueness with folksy humility. "I'm kind of superstitious," he shrugged; he did not want to appear complacent by looking beyond Election Day. Given his large and unwavering lead in the polls, few were...

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