Landslide The New Right
Mar 7, 2024
Explore the rise of the New Right movement in the 1976 Republican primary, fueled by anger over integration, women's rights, gun laws, and textbooks. Learn about Reagan's improbable comeback with the help of conservative organizations. Dive into the strategic campaign tactics, including Reagan's stance on the Panama Canal, successful wins in North Carolina and Texas, and the intense rivalry with Ford leading to the national convention.
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Grievance As A Political Strategy
- The New Right organized around social issues and grievance to change the Republican Party's character.
- They explicitly aimed to take over the party by inflaming passions on culture-war topics.
Ellis Rescues Reagan With Direct Mail
- Reagan's campaign hit financial collapse after five straight primary losses and new campaign finance limits that blocked big donors.
- Tom Ellis offered his Congressional Club's direct-mail machine as a lifeline to keep Reagan's bid alive.
Vintage Reagan Ad Sparks Surge
- Tom Ellis pushed Reagan to stop being 'boring' and to run a new 30-minute ad channeling his 1964 Goldwater speech.
- The ad's combative tone triggered an immediate surge of calls, volunteers, and donations.