The Road To The White House - 1980 Quiz

Answer: Hubert Humphrey

Former Vice President Hubert Humphrey passed away in 1978. The final campaign for the "Happy Warrior" was in 1976, finishing behind Jimmy Carter for the Democratic Presidential nomination. McCarthy ran an almost token campaign, appearing on several state ballots as a 3rd Party candidate. Bush and Kennedy both ran full-fledged national campaigns.

Answer: Phil Crane

Crane was a young conservative upstart making a name for himself on the national political scene. Many of Reagan's supporters considered Crane to be the logical successor to Reagan as the nation's top conservative. Although still representing his Illinois constituents in 2002, Crane has all but dissappeared from the national scene over the years. Anderson, also an Illinois Congressman, began his campaign as a Republican, but ultimately ran as an Independent, Third Party candidate. Kemp was not a candidate in 1980. Bush finished 2nd in the Republican race and was selected by Reagan to be his running mate.

Answer: Ted Kennedy

And he did! Reportedly, the comment was a deliberate leak to the press to send a message to Kennedy, who had resisted pressure to run for President since the assassination of his brother Robert in 1968. Initially, the remark was ignored by the reporter who overheard it, but was finally reported at the urging of Carter's handlers, so the story goes.

Answer: John Connolly

John Connolly served as Governor of Texas as a member of the Democratic Party. Connolly is best known for being shot during the assassination of Pres. John Kennedy. Reagan served as Governor of California as a Republican. Both Baker and Dole were U.S. Senators.

Answer: Ronald Reagan

During his Hollywood days, Reagan served as President of the Screen Actors' Guild.

Answer: Jerry Brown

Gov. Jerry Brown of California got a late start in his challenge, hoping to use the California primary to sweep him to the nomination, or at least make himself a power broker at a deadlocked convention, neither of which happened.

Answer: New York City

Answer: Detroit

Answer: Gerald Ford

Following Reagan's nomination, the traditional running mate speculation took on a life of its own. The story purported a Reagan-Ford ticket that would result in a "co-Presidency." It's doubtful that this scenario was a serious possibility, but it was the big story from the convention for a few hours at least. Reagan and his staff actually announced the selection of George Bush earlier than planned in order to quelch the speculation.

Answer: To show support for American hostages in Iran

Carter vowed not to leave the White House until the hostages (being held by militant Iranians in Tehran) were released. He changed his mind when it became clear that the "Rose Garden" strategy was not working and he was falling in the polls.