My first political memory was the Ford/Carter race, and I remember how depressing the Carter years were, even as a kid. I remember inflation and gas lines. I remember the hostage crisis. I remember my parents being stressed out about stuff. I think Carter is most likely a good man, and I think he was dealt a difficult hand, but he just didn't get the job done.

Reagan just crushed it, IMO. Right man, right time. I shudder to think what would have happened had Hinckley been successful.

Reagan was the best combo of philosophy, tactics, policy, competence, communication, optimism, morality, temperment and patriotism I've ever seen. People forget this, but, politically speaking, he accomplished all he did while facing a Dem House for his entire presidency and a Dem Senate for the last six years. Of course, this was back when we had a functioning government and Dems and Reps were willing to work together on stuff from time to time.

He was also an incredible American success story and as American as you can get (and, yes, I realize that his Hollywood experience and resources certainly helped him refine that image). Things were good in the 80s. It was a good time to be alive, IMO -- politically, culturally, economically, internationally, socially, etc. I have the same fond memories as you from that period. I think a lot of people -- right, left and center -- look back fondly on that decade. In fact, I think 1980-2000 was a pretty damn good run for the U.S.