The Ronald Reagan Mic Drop Moment At The 1984 Debate | NBC News

When his age became an issue in the second 1984 presidential debate against a younger Walter Mondale, Ronald Reagan found a way to use it to his advantage.

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The Ronald Reagan Mic Drop Moment At The 1984 Debate | NBC News

[phil]

The look on Mondale's face... is when you know you're going to lose 49 states.

[Marvinskanalify]

Raegan won the election by making his opponent laugh, what a legend.

[thisiserich]

The fact that Mondale laughed and the two remained cordial is a massive indication of how different the times were back then. That would never happen today. Ever.

[williamhager]

The good ol days when debates were civilized.

[dylanhart]

Back when politicians joked, and weren't jokes.

[rustyshepperd]

In the good ole days when politicians could disagree and debate without coming across as horrible people.  I miss classy, clever lines and civility: even Mondale could appreciate Reagan's joke.  Great stuff.

[stevieb]

When Reagan stumbles, he makes his comeback with "the progressivity". When Biden stumbles, he comes back with "you know, the thing".

[SeaMonkey]

One of my favorite Reagan moments was when a reporter (Sam Donaldson, I think) in a press conference told Reagan he'd put blame on a number of people for the state of the economy and asked if he thought there might be a reason he himself should share some of the blame. Reagan responded, "yes I do think I share some of the blame because for 25 years I was a Democrat!" I paraphrase, but it was epic because Reagan had indeed been a Democrat before switching parties.

[FavreianVengeance]

I like that Mondale can take a joke. I'd vote for him over any Democrat running today.

[spg]

Love Reagan’s humor. Need it today more than ever.

Classy Mondale. That is what makes this clip so special. Mondale truly laughs and isn’t mad at all. And he was truly opposite of nearly everything Reagan stood for. I don’t see any HATE here unlike today.

[retroguy]

I was in college at the time and remember watching this debate. This moment was AWESOME and we all laughed. Its one of many reasons why my generation LOVED Reagan. To this very day, I am SO proud that my first time voting for president was in '84 and I voted for Reagan.

[kevinwarren]

I remember Reagan's presidency from start to finish but I didn't realize just how good of a speaker he was until recently. He's an absolute contrast to what we've had for most of this century.

[MikeB]

Reagan was the greatest! But, I've also got admit, Mondale was a good sport about it. Don't see our "leaders" on either side acting with that level of class anymore.

[bernarddiggins]

Mondale never had a shot, not for one second. That said, I love the grace and humility shown by both these men during the debate. Mondale laughing was great. Sadly something we'd never see today.

[tomf]

He had that planned and delivered it perfectly. The gleam in his eyes after he said that was “sticking the landing”. How far have we fallen since then.

[paulplack]

Story also has it that Reagan's poor performance in the first debate was due to staff over-preparing him. Nancy is said to have stepped in, helped him regain confidence in his straight, direct style, told him to just be himself, and connect with the audience like he'd always done. If true, she was one smart lady!

[iahelcathartesaura]

Whatever Regean was or wasnt in truth and in anyone's viewpoint, he unarguably was sheer class & grace all the way. I very unexpectedly got to meet & shake hands with he & Nancy when I was age 18, at our local mall where I had gone with my friend & prom date to buy his prom tux lol. It was wild, and I couldn't help but think "No way! His cheeks really ARE that rosy, naturally!" His eyes purely sparkled & he seemed full of humanness & humor. What a personality lol.

[morbius]

This was back when politicians and politics in general could still be civil. Even Mondale got a kick out of Reagan's comeback on the age question. Plus that look on Reagan's face @ 1:56 LOL. RIP Mr President.

[JT-illo]

Man, today’s generation has no idea that this is how democracy should look. The lasts couple of decades politics is just plain nasty.

[deepalib]

Reagan handled the issue of his age so well! Even his opponent was laughing!