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Chapter 28

Ronald Reagan 's first inaugural address , on January 20 1981 , was a skillfully presented political speech . Newly elected presidents do not usually make detailed policy statements on this occasion , since following the election their opinions on the great issues of the day and their intended legislative program and policies are widely known Typically , inaugural addresses are inspirational and visionary , setting out what will be the tone and general policy direction of the incoming administration . Often , there is a note of celebration following the victory but also , since many Americans voted for a

different candidate there is a call for unity and the affirmation that of whatever party the president will serve all Americans . In certain circumstances , the address may be a little solemn , such as during wartime or a time of crisis . This is not lacking from Reagan 's first address . The American economy was less healthy than it had been in the 1960s and America 's image around the world was tarnished . The occupation by Iran of the American Embassy had proved popular especially in Muslim countries which agreed with the Iranian leader that Americans were arrogant and tried dominate and dictate to the rest of the world . Reagan did not begin , however , with foreign policy but with the domestic situation setting out the board outline of his policy for governance and for the economy , what some refer to as small government ' and reaganomics .Reagan 's defeated opponent , Jimmy Carter , had appeared to blame Americans for the decline in...

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