Reagan and the age issue

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Here was that hilarious moment when Ronald Reagan, with one line, ended the 1984 presidential election contest.
Ronald Reagan had done poorly in the previous debate. In his final summation he stumbled badly and did not finish in time and had to cut it short, incomplete. Reagan had been a professional speaker for many years and understood timing and had practiced for hours. It was inconceivable that he would mess up his answer.
The only explanation for the lapse was his age and growing heart condition which would account for less blood flow to the brain. It was a startling thought for the nation.
Reagan consulted with his wife, Nancy Reagan, and campaign team, including Michael Deaver, and he brought back Jim Baker to help. But alone, without help from his aides, he thought through the problem and rightly concluded that humor was the one antidote that would remedy the problem.
Reagan rehearsed his answer thoroughly and when the issue came up, as he knew it would, he calmly delivered his lines. It was a great moment, perhaps the greatest in presidential debate history.
Humor trumps content. Laughter is the best medicine. This was the classic moment of Reagan and the age issue.
Ronald Reagan age joke | Ronald Reagan age issue | Ronald Reagan age question | Reagan one liners Reagan age question | Reagan jokes about Mondale's age

[@stephenmiller2337]

I love the fact that Mondale laughed. Shows a degree of humility that's lacking these days.

[@robin231176]

Wise words.

[@insertname1841]

And he looked weak, whether you like it or not

[@fantasticmrmonk]

@@insertname1841 just sounds like you’ve never seen strength

[@machoman6523]

I laugh in every debate

[@AK-yy6yf]

@@fantasticmrmonk preach Measuring strength by optics (insignificant optics by that) is something that middle schoolers do, or unreasonable people in general

[@MyGarageWorkshop]

Even Mondale voted for Reagan after this.

[@sdotharris1]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@mediachristiantv7472]

Just about every state in America did...

[@dereklee796]

LOL

[@AndySaenz]

Minnesota was the only state that turned blue for Mondale in 1984! WOW, Reagan killed it!

[@mediachristiantv7472]

@@AndySaenz yes he did.

[@masanf9398]

When even your opponent laughs, you know you've just won. It was over.

[@MrDownslider]

Game, set, and match. Mondale knew he was done!

[@justtruth8281]

masanf I remember living that moment of Regans comment. It was awesome!

[@gc3k]

Reagan won 49 states it was over before that moment

[@lizpitula2471]

Exactly. I don’t know if that one was the best or Reagan saying there was an American and a Russian - and the American said - i can slam my hand down in the Oval office and say “i dont like how President Reagan is running things - and the Russian said i can do that too - i can walk into Secretary Gorbachevs office and slam my hand on his desk and say “Mr Gorbachev - i dont like how Ronald Reagan is running his Country”. 😊

[@furdiebant]

Thought it was very classy by Mondale.

[@parallelburrito]

This is a textbook example of losing with class. Mondale knew that Reagan had it and instead of being a douche bag and not recognizing what was going on he displayed humility. My hats off to you Mr. Mondale!

[@freakyfornash]

That's for sure, unlike that no good P.O.S. wicked witch "Hitlery" Clinton, who couldn't even bear the balls (or should I say "boobs" in her case) to address her crowd when she knew the 2016 election was over. That while instead having her campaign manager do the sad work for her, while still being in denile, and claiming there was still a chance his candidate would win, when that was so not the case by then. Hell even Dukakis had a hell of a lot more class, despite his seemingly defeatist attitude from the start of the second Presidential debate onward.

[@drricksjoquist4358]

Class--unlike Gore and Hillary.

[@VenomShadows305]

Different times, different people.

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

The goal at the Mondale campaign was to keep the two-part system alive. No one expected to win except after the first debate, even then we were still eight points behind.

[@maltesimusfraterdemassimo7215]

@@freakyfornash nothing better than that POS Trump who wouldnt even say to accept the result of the election if it wouldnt go his way. if you trumptards wanna bring up being classy, youre gonna loose every single time.

[@zzremington]

When he took the drink of water after the kill shot, it was like the gunslinger in the west blowing on his pistol barrel after he puts the bad guy away.

[@vinnytesla9731]

took that 'check-mate' sip like a boss

[@MyEnemy]

Yep, Reagan definitely still had his timing here.

[@davidarnold9324]

I remember that debate. In that moment Reagan completely removed that issue. One of the greatest lines in presidential debate history.

[@GodsLonelyMan76]

Or good guy

[@TheBehm08]

Just like a comedian takes a swig after a perfect punchline

[@Ashfielder]

After tonight’s debate I really miss these civilised exchanges.

[@rayjohnson4221]

Me too brother

[@BarbaPamino]

Reagan would've mopped the floor with Biden. Wouldn't even have been fair.

[@carljohnson8732]

@BP 27 very true. Antifa an idea? That was what I remember biden saying. Seems like burning businesses to the ground, vandalizing looting, and let's not forget the climate change they caused lighting forest fires... all seems like a real bad idea... And for the media to act shocked over the vitriolic insults slung gave me a good chuckle. They are just as responsible for the intolerance and hatred these days as anybody. They are in fact the cause of it inciting hatred and racial division etc... I don't blame Trump for getting defensive debating both chris & joe. Trump 2020🇺🇸

[@jothePianoMaster13]

@BP 27 Chris Wallace even allow the audience to make a peep except at the beginning

[@Joe999v2]

Me too man

[@vccstudents]

The poor guy who asked the question was dumbfounded. Everyone who was there or watched this as it happened, including Mondale, knew this election was over after that line!

[@vccstudents]

Film Producer Mondale admitted in an interview he knew he lost the election after that. That election was never going to be close. I was in college at the time, and after this line, I looked at someone I was dating at the time and said, "Slam dunk. Game over."

[@vccstudents]

Film Producer Jimmy Carter has the longest retirement of any former President. The problem is he has been spending most of the last 35 years trying to rewrite his disastrous Presidency. In fact, it was 35 years ago today, RONNIE trounced Jimmy. To those who continue to try to build up his disastrous Presidency, I say, "There you go again."

[@vccstudents]

Film Producer AMEN!

[@lukascielocaminante257]

In the US you can win elections and rule 300+ million people on witty one liner ? Cool to know !

[@vccstudents]

Ronnie was the best in my lifetime!

[@robertjensen1048]

To this day, this is still considered the most clever zinger ever said at a presidential debate. It's historic.

[@zlinedavid]

And the beauty of it is, it wasn't overly insulting to either party. It was just a straight up witty, intelligent reply, Delivered with perfect cadence and timing.

[@qualicumjack3906]

Nah “because you’d be in jail” is better. Reagan’s was more clever but he was answering a moderator’s question about an issue he probably expected to be raised, while Trump shot off the hip right after his opponent finished attempting to slam him

[@ArkadiosTheodulus]

​@@qualicumjack3906Biden should use that one at the next debate. Assuming orange man is man enough to show up for it.

[@qualicumjack3906]

@@ArkadiosTheodulus Biden would much rather sit across from Trump in a courtroom than on a debate floor, which is sad because that would be a funny reference and another great debate clapback

[@ZechsMerquise73]

@@qualicumjack3906 Uh, isn't that exactly what the quote you think is the best of all time means? He was threatening his opponent with jail time, which by the way, he never even pursued despite it being a major campaign promise.

[@just_some_random_guy]

Back when decorum and human decency still existed within debates.

[@carljohnson8732]

Yes, that's why I came back to these better times too. Like or dislike Reagan, but he had a way with words unlike the two we just heard insult one another.

[@Throku]

Well, to be fair. A debate is never better than the moderators. debates as of late, be it american presedantail or not, have not been known for having balanced and neutral moderators, or questions.

[@Cattail4546]

Debates were usually good until Donald Trump joined the fray.

[@Throku]

@@Cattail4546 Well to be fair, it wasn't Trumps fault. Just look at the first one of this year. Biden just lied all the way thrugh. Hard to have a debate when people don't stick to the truth. And then whenever Trump got him cornered the "moderator" interrupted and changed the subject. As I recall Hillary too ignored the truth. So instead of debating issued there were just squabbles about whats true and baseless accusations of racism. That is useless.

[@ThekiBoran]

Take a look at the election of 1800. They basically called each other's wives whores.

[@ryanal4923]

Who else came back here to see what a real debate looks like after watching that train wreck

[@rodzilla6053]

Yep, posting some of these old debate highlights on social media to remind others what leaders look and sound like.

[@kenpumford754]

Exactly. Those two (Reagan and Mondale) were gentlemen, unlike the two childish clowns on stage in Cleveland last night.

[@davidmoran4875]

What you've stated is a deep insult to the dignified order of the unfortunate incident of a trainwreck. Take it back immediately. 😂😂😂

[@carljohnson8732]

Definitely. While neither Trump nor Biden are known as eloquent speakers- Trump speaking in more simplistic terms and to the point, Biden- c'mon man, shut up etc... it's a shame how the debate turned out. I half expected Trump to go springer and say 'your crackhead son screwed his dead brothers wife' etc.... i blame the media in part for inciting so much divisiveness too. It's what things have devolved to in the U.S... sad reality.

[@jothePianoMaster13]

It was Chris Wallace's fault

[@beckerod777]

Mondale looks over at Reagan and thinks, "Damn, I even want to vote for him."

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

I watched this live from Mondale's NY Headquarters. Everyone knew we were sunk.

[@christophergargaro959]

The silent sip of water at the end while he let the joke permeate is such a boss move.

[@MrDownslider]

And the campaign was over. Even Mondale laughed. Reagan was a master politician.

[@Strazman]

You can see at 0:15 he already knows what he's gonna say. And it's been confirmed that Mr. Mondale knew, when Reagan delivered his line, that the election was over. Reagan would serve a second term. What a boss.

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

Yes I was at Mondale's NY HQ for this debate (I was volunteering). We all knew. There was a glimmer of hope after the first debate (Reagan did actually have dementia as it turned out) but this destroyed it.

[@Strazman]

@@raygordonteacheschess5501 My grandmother eventually died as a result of complications from dementia. Yes, it took years and years before we really saw symptoms. So I have no doubt that President Reagan had it in the early stages as he entered his second term. But damn, what a great president!

[@mavfan1]

Ray Gordon Teaches Chess Reagan didn’t just win he won every single state including Mondale’s own Minnesota.

[@rodadkins6754]

@@mavfan1 Well almost! 49 to 1 - thanks to that small plot of land call Massachusetts.

[@Scorpious187]

@@mavfan1 No, he did not win Minnesota. Minnesota has not gone for a Republican since Nixon in 1972. But it is looking likely that this year, it will go for Trump. How insane is that?

[@RollOnToVictory]

Mondale: well...... shit.

[@jrpark05]

For Mondale, hello 49 state landslide loss!

[@TheY2AProblem]

Imagine being an elector in Minnesota or D.C.

[@dizzydean2767]

That’s basically what he said had happened 😂

[@jakeg3126]

@@TheY2AProblemwould be awesome. You would be famous, not a statistic. Line might be shorter too. Lol

[@doctordevo]

that deadpan delivery...his comedic timing.. God we need another president with this kind of charm and charisma.

[@briane173]

I'm afraid that ship has sailed. Today it's bombast, authoritarianism, packaging incompetence with a pretty bow, lying about rigged elections and responding by actually rigging an election. These two parties and the clowns they put up who we are forced to choose from have made it clear that they don't care about constitutional government OR the voters, they only care about making the two-party system a one-party system -- where majority rules, *_period_* -- screw checks & balances, screw the rights of the minority -- and politicians capable and willing to make that happen. I miss Reagan for lots of reasons, but his character, personality, statesmanship, belief in us and commitment to his ideals are top on the list.

[@johnbaugh2437]

Saw none of this in the debate last night. I showed this to my kids this morning as an example how gentleman behave in a debate. How Presidents and former Vice Presidents used to be gentlemen.

[@patlynch3464]

Trump smoked old Joe. Do yourself a favor, go look at past Biden debates especially the one against Paul Ryan. Biden likes to steam roll the show, and Trump was ready and Biden was too old and shot to fire back.

[@samuelbekele3601]

@@patlynch3464 Your bias is showing. Both of those guys looked like they belonged in a retirement home.

[@johndalton3180]

John Baugh your kids are lucky to have such a smart dad who knows his history, and knows right from wrong. Kudos, sir. Seriously.

[@johndalton3180]

@@patlynch3464 Trump was a complete embarrassment to his party, and to our country in those debates.

[@user-ec6hj1hz4u]

Why do americans call Reagan the gipper what does it mean?

[@Lou-nl7el]

RIP Walter Mondale 4/19/2021

[@Jck9102]

Even Mondale laughed. God bless the Gipper. Where are you now to save us???

[@Rawk4Life]

It wouldn't have mattered since most liberals waited until his death to speak ill of him.

[@cheddar2648]

His spirit is alive; that much is plain to me.

[@drricksjoquist4358]

To those of you too young to have known this political era, it was a time when moderators cared much more about their journalistic chops than celebrity status and didn't merely repeat talking points by others. It was also a time when a healthy sense of humor was part of the measure of a candidate for the highest office, and even a touch of humility. Reagan was disarmingly clever here.

[@charlescarmichael1124]

I was just old enough to understand at this point in history. It was the first debate I watched by choice. I remember my mother saying “Oh he just one the election!!”

[@briane173]

It will never get better than this -- Throwing a zinger in Mondale's lap while simultaneously being self-deprecating. Only Ronald Reagan could pull that off.

[@jjgillmen]

I was two years old at the time of this debate, way too young at first to fully understand this point of history. Eventually, I started going to school during the last two years of Reagan's second term (1987-1988). In retrospect, looking at moments like this made me realize just how special Ronald Reagan truly was -- he was like that great-grandfather anybody would ever want to have. He was authentic, he was real, and he loved his country. One of the greatest speakers in American history.

[@kennyolson1734]

Mondale later said that at that moment he knew it was over. RIP VP Mondale

[@idiotfinder911]

It was said but many that after that statement, Reagan won the debate, without anything else needing to be said.

[@MrDownslider]

The election ended at that statement. It was such a profound statement that even Mondale laughed his ass off and he also must have known that he was done at that moment.

[@SwordHMX]

Back when a joke was a joke and people didn't get so offended that they needed take to the streets.

[@fabianpatrizio2865]

and now we have Antifa...awesome

[@za-jm8wf]

This is when people used wit to make jokes. Today all people mostly use is indecensy and cursing.

[@monke2361]

liberals are the ones in the streets

[@specialknees6798]

To be fair, a lot of “jokes” people get pissed at these days aren’t funny or witty at all. [insert group of people] bad is not a joke. This was extremely tame and tasteful.

[@franbatista9062]

Marxists and their agitators, they want a world social and culture revolution

[@aritragupta4182]

Walter Mondale would say later 'Inside I was crying because I knew at that moment I had lost'

[@lindatanner9537]

Wish we had a type Ronald Regan today..he was true patriot.

[@bryansarracino8623]

The moderator can't even keep his shit together after that line.

[@spwb2k]

the entire country said "game over" the minute this happened. Its my second favorite Reagan moment after Berlin Wall 87.

[@patrickbutler9744]

If you look closely at Mondale, you can see a tear amidst the laughter as he realizes he's lost the election 😂🇺🇸

[@RollandGarros02]

Mr Mondale is a true statesman with good sense of humour...Mr. Reagen sealed off the election with that

[@Yougotcaged102]

Two gentleman in a battle of wits. Unlike the incoherent ramblings of our most recent debates

[@paulg4508]

Also, bravo to the director who quickly got Mondale's reaction along with Reagan's in the same shot. Reagan had great comedic timing, what makes it great is you can see and hear him laughing as he's preparing to deliver the punch line.

[@zidane16]

I'm liberal, but damn this was so impressive. Debates back then were so civil. I'm sure Mondale and Reagan had a mutual respect for each other. These days, it's like a boxing match where you can tell the candidates sort of hate each other.

[@zlinedavid]

It's when candidates had the best interests of the country in mind, but differed over the path to getting there. Now, it's about individual or interest group agendas.

[@Yougotcaged102]

One thing all parties can love about a President is wit and charisma

[@rickmontgomery3037]

@@zlinedavid Exactly.

[@SalemGhassanHanna]

It's all so personal these days, with the amount of dirt they dig up on each other. I'm British, and the 2019 General Election between Johnson and Corbyn effectively turned into a character assassination campaign. The 2024 election won't be much better on either side of the Atlantic.

[@charlescarmichael1124]

I’m a conservative and I couldn’t agree more. No one listens to the other side. “You wanna kill old people!” “Well, you hate non whites!” “Well you want to control everything!” “NO, YOU DO!”

[@thomasg5682]

GOD BLESS RONALD REAGAN!

[@brandanb9735]

...then he takes a sip of water afterward...sealed it.

[@ddgallion]

One of the greatest debate question replies of all time. It was the beauty in the delivery that the reply went from great to brilliant, aided by the irresistible laughter that followed, and the knowing look in Reagan's face afterward, which showed that he knew he just hit a grand slam home run.

[@briane173]

Even better was that after getting utterly flustered by his debate "coaches" before the first debate with a cacophony of facts and figures and a million different ways to respond to a million possible statements by Mondale, he vowed he wasn't going to let his debate handlers do this to him again; so he kept this line in his hip pocket and ignored his handlers when they suggested another wonky answer to the age question and said "Don't worry about it, I know what to say." If they had let Reagan be Reagan before the _first_ debate the election would've been over _then._

[@romancandlefight1144]

Biden's version: "C'mon man"

[@oliverwilsonthepreacher9979]

Biden, if asked, could have answered the same answer. Biden was 77 at that time and Trump was 74 years old at that time.

[@says101]

@@oliverwilsonthepreacher9979 the only difference is that he is not sharp like reagen was

[@Lizfan2]

@@says101 Biden is a complete moron.

[@skubidupapap1063]

@@oliverwilsonthepreacher9979 "not at all, come on man. I am not going to.. exploit uh.. you know the, you know the thing"

[@oliverwilsonthepreacher9979]

@@skubidupapap1063 😆😆😆

[@wasspj]

I'd take a tired Reagan over a rested Mondale any day of the week.

[@zlinedavid]

At this point, I'll take a dead Reagan over any candidate that has ran the last 16 years, Republican or Democrat.

[@__parsa__]

That sounds... sexual

[@grengren1359]

@@__parsa__ fu i

[@hnys7976]

Mondale actually predicting everything Reagan was going to do wrong pretty well.

[@johndalton3180]

@@hnys7976 Both were decent men, who, in their own ways wanted the best for this country. I know many of my friends would take me to task for saying that about Reagan, but I truly believe it. One things for certain- both are miles better than that disgusting THING that polluted our Oval Office from Jan 2017 to Jan 2021.

[@barbaravanbeber4278]

I remember when he said it. He won the election at that moment in time. ;)

[@vccstudents]

+Barbara VanBeber My girlfriend at the time thought Mondale was going to pull it off, but when RONNIE said this, I said, "SLAM DUNK! GAME OVER!" Then we saw the returns, and I was right.

[@barbaravanbeber4278]

+vccstudents I can't get enough of that video. lol

[@vccstudents]

Barbara VanBeber Neither can I. My other favorite was when he delivered his first State of the Union. He quoted George Washington's opening remarks verbatim and said, "For our friends in the press who place a high premium on accuracy, let me say I did not actually hear George Washington say that." The whole chamber erupted!

[@Hank_Poole]

I think he won upon announcing his candidacy for re-election.

[@POPE_FRANC1S]

Back when both candidates had honour and respect for each other

[@jrpark05]

Just as impressive, in my opinion, was his quote by either Cicero or Seneca "if there were no elders to correct the mistakes of the young, there would be no state." What a great man, and what a great president. How far we have fallen.

[@cheddar2648]

On the contrary, I will conjecture that historians will place Reagan and Trump in exactly the same class: presidents who valued America's survival and supremacy--yes, supremacy--above all else.

[@Mantorok]

A man can dream of a land with no state.

[@MajorMlgNoob]

@@cheddar2648 yeah the same class at the bottom Reagan was garbage

[@davidralphs4]

We are back with Donald John Trump and not the lame career politicians.

[@termeownator]

Neither Cicero nor Seneca

[@andrewthetextbook489]

Rest in peace, Walter Mondale.

[@jrjcarl]

RIP Mr. Modale

[@fernandocostadecampos6854]

Biden has the same age of Reagan when he LEFT office. But I assume it's not cool to question a democrat about this.

[@seth_stewart]

No, of course not, they have Democrat privilege

[@kennethmelnychuk9737]

It’s ageism when presented to a democrat but truthful when presented to a rebulican

[@scp7802]

Except it has been asked to him?

[@fathergabrielstokes4706]

@@scp7802 The guy has dementia. Trump will win re-election!! 🇺🇸

[@scp7802]

@@fathergabrielstokes4706 You want to know who else has dementia?

[@stevenaziz]

How did he manage to both criticize and compliment his opponent at the same time??? Bring back this version of America!!

[@boboharperoldbobostillhere7588]

Reagan was so likeable, so skilled at self-effacing humor, it was impossible for his political rivals to "not" like him. Read about his relationship with Tip O'Neill, that is what is missing today.

[@stevewyrick3400]

"If it was not for the elders correcting the mistakes of the young, there would be no state." Wise words from a great and wise man.

[@User_32]

Except for the fact that he already had Alzheimers and he was past his prime at this time. SHouldn't have run a second term

[@duckduckgoismuchbetter]

​@@User_32A conservative Republican, especially one of President Reagans caliber, is better than any Democrat without Alzheimers.

[@gdavidelliott]

True, unless that elder has made a mess of things without anyone noticing.

[@duckduckgoismuchbetter]

@@gdavidelliott Yes, but when did this conversation turn to Biden?

[@marc80s]

Reagan cracked up Mondale with that one! :)

[@jozo496]

Harry Engel Jokes? Debates are too concerned with penis sizes now to have jokes.

[@zlinedavid]

Rumor has it that even Gorbechev laughed at this one....and this was back at the time that Soviets got shot for laughter.

[@zlinedavid]

RIP VP Mondale. I'm an unapologetic Reagan supporter but will be the first to admit, he beat a damn good man in 1984. Your handling of the election that year was a shining example of losing with grace and dignity, and still maintaining an effective political career after.

[@patricktruelove464]

Moderator let Reagan off too easy. Two years later, when Reagan was virtually incapacitated with Alzheimer’s, it wasn’t so funny.

[@alfievines5917]

This would never happen today; a) because no politician is witty enough to take a shot like that, and b) the person receiving the shot would not take it anywhere near as well as Mondale did

[@ivandinsmore6217]

It is a pity that Mondale didn't wait another 4 years. I think from this clip he was a decent man and probably would have been a good President

[@JediPhoenix1976]

Says a lot about Mondale that he recognized the joke as a mild roast and was able to laugh as well. Man, for my kids' sake, I hope we see these kind of days again....when the respect had to be earned but not fought over and the civility was a no-brainer.

[@HughButler-lb6zs]

Those days are gone forever. Like a banana republic one party wants to put its opponent in jail to win. Sadly America's greatest days are behind her.

[@robertfishman3742]

Classic! Easily one of the most entertaining (though devastating) statements ever made in a political debate.

[@wphh7272]

@:56 Reagan's expression says it all, "got anything else for me kiddo? You want to try me again?" LOLOLOLOL!!!

[@ExKUKicker]

The minute Reagan uttered that line, the 2nd. term was his. So whitty was he...😁

[@ALD56]

It was already his. That was just an extra shovelful of dirt on the grave of a dead campaign.

[@GuentherP]

Ronald Reagan was one of the best US-Presidents ever - greetings from Austria.

[@cax1175]

Low standards.

[@JML6988]

@@cax1175 idiot!

[@JML6988]

Yes, he was.

[@UnitedStates17]

Easily the most overrated president of all time. Don't forget that he was the first president in half a century to widen the gap between the rich and poor. If this isn't bad enough, you might wanna educate yourself on how he handled the Aids crisis (hint: he handled it poorly). There's still more bad things in his presidency like the Iran-Contra affair, being a racist decades after the civil rights movement, etc. If I had to rank all 46 presidents, Reagan would be 30th-35th.

[@masanf9398]

I think Mondale knew, that very second, that he was done for.

[@StarreLabell]

I loved Ronald Reagan so much, his fireside chats were broadcast on all channels and everyone watched them. He came across as a wonderfully wise grandfather who loved the entire country and we loved him right back.

[@christopherweber9464]

Fireside chats? In the 1980's ?

[@rm2399]

Complete 180 from the old guy currently in office: “America can be described in one word ‘afashafafdhg’”

[@lasueloarca6388]

Or the previous one: "Bing bing bong bong"

[@John-nt2ej]

GAME, SET, MATCH. Even the moderator laughed.

[@cflo1386]

Damn how I long for the 80s; a time when we were civil and humble to each other.

[@joshuahenderson]

The fact that he followed it up with a quote from a Roman leader makes it that much greater.

[@keithportman5126]

I love how President Reagan takes that sip of water after getting off this classic zinger. Game, Set, Match. What an era ! Walter Mondale was a class act as well. Miss those days.

[@davidvarner4089]

After the debate Mondale told his wife he lost the election with that One quote from Reagan

[@molengat1]

That drink of water at :50 was a micdrop

[@ponglenis9273]

What makes this great for me, is that reagon tried to make himself look good, not make his opponent look bad. He made a joke, everybody including mondale laughed, only person looking dumb was the person who asked the question I also love his little smirk afterwards

[@copyright8291]

No one looked dumb after this. It was a legit question, and Reagan handled it great.

[@macchez1976]

It seems to be that the best presidents are often the ones who aren't politicians at all

[@wertherquartett]

That smile on Mondale was just precious. Of course he couldn’t react any other way but it was special all the same.

[@rexmackenzie9584]

no

[@GuentherP]

Don't compare Reagan with trump - Reagan is a legend. As a European I will always adore this man, he protected us from the evil empire. God bless him.

[@EMDEPEv2]

+Günther P And now it is up to Trump to protect Europe from the hostile people you have let flood your country.

[@LattiMonstaaa]

+Big Big Boy Trump can fk off back to whatever fascist dictatorship inspired him, thank you

[@BloodofPatriots]

Knock if off with the bullshit. When Reagan was President every European made jokes about him being a stupid warmonger. Fuck off with your lies.

[@LattiMonstaaa]

+BloodofPatriots Is that true? Do you know of any particular statements? (genuinely interested)

[@LattiMonstaaa]

Film Producer Meanwhile, Trump cant even spell "antitrust"

[@cancerwarriorsstation5884]

Best debate answer ever, imho

[@CubsFanJohn]

The greatest Smackdown of all time.

[@johnekonomou3042]

RIP Walter Mondale

[@janek7955]

Rest in peace, VP Mondale

[@btez31]

Loved Regan! Whether you agreed with his policies or not, you can't deny that he knew how to energize people and the nation as well as having some of the best comebacks and one-liners in the history of American Presidents!

[@User_32]

Yeah cause one liners are what makes a great president....

[@marksprague1280]

​@@User_32As opposed to the senility of the current President?

[@ushireborn]

​@@marksprague1280red herring

[@marksprague1280]

@@ushireborn It's so entertaining to observe a loudmouthed Dim squirm.

[@eroche913]

If Mondale had stifled his laugh or rolled his eyes or some such, history wouldn't have remembered him fondly for it. Howling with laughter and embracing Reagan's brilliant, although scripted line, showed Mondale to be human and self-effacing. Gracious in ultimate defeat.

[@marknelson2846]

As soon as he said that, I told my wife, "this campaign is over. He's got this one won." And so it was.

[@Braun-rentacar]

I think he was prepped for that question but even so, delivered to perfection.

[@JuanTorres-ow2ob]

The first ever mic drop!!

[@GrantDaily]

I miss Reagan :(

[@Pacificorobles]

Who doesn't?

[@joshuagathright9313]

Pacifico Robles Dumbasses.

[@ProperJudgment]

I wish I was old enough to live in this period.... 19 years old with president Obama in office for a third of my life really sucks lol

[@fraynetrain1370]

We all do

[@MajorMlgNoob]

@@ProperJudgment Obama > Reagan

[@grahamrobbins7926]

An elegant weapon, for a more civilized age...

[@leviathan2515]

rip walter mondale now with ronald reagan

[@YoRon427]

I forgot how great was Ronald Reagan. It was wonderful growing up in the 80's with him as president.

[@Christobanistan]

Me, too, though I was too young to appreciate him at the time. I was born in '76.

[@titusmccarthy]

YUCK. Neo-fascism sucks.

[@briane173]

It was wonderful growing up in the 60s/70s with him as Governor of my state. Even better being in the military in the 80s after the Jimmy Carter years when we got zero respect from the public and even less pay for more deployments. Reagan and his SECDEF and SECNAV came in and rebuilt our military to be a deterrent formidable enough to bring down the Soviet Union, and it was a great time to be in the military then. 8 of the best years of my life, and the country's.

[@stevekendrick4296]

You got to love him. Everybody is laughing, even Mondale.

[@Dave_B33]

A day when even if someones platform didn't mesh with yours, you could find reason to respect the person.

[@michaelbastin9851]

agree, oui!

[@jerometaperman7102]

Reagan was thoroughly prepared for that one.

[@pingdingdongpong]

Yea. That must have been fed to him. Reagan was not all that clever.

[@jerometaperman7102]

@@pingdingdongpong - I never liked Reagan. I thought he was a dim bulb and I’m sure his campaign worked on that one to get him ready. You can just see him waiting patiently for the panelist to finish the question with a look of “I got this one”.

[@Americanpatriot-zo2tk]

Totally funny!

[@gh9111]

The best ever line in the political world.

[@ryanphillips5412]

When even the moderator admits you just hit it out of the park....

[@octpod3923]

"Cus you'd he in jail" and this are the best mic drop moments in the history of presidential debates.

[@epa316]

1984, 49 out of 50 states went red.

[@carljohnson8732]

Wish it were that way today.

[@scp7802]

@@carljohnson8732 No.

[@carljohnson8732]

@@scp7802 kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2auf32oqcR3itE

[@scp7802]

@@carljohnson8732 xD

[@CJODell12]

That line was so good even Mondale laughed.

[@californianative4851]

That may very well be the best zinger in political debates

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

Back when people could disagree viciously about politics and still be friends.

[@TheKlownchez]

I remember as a kid expecting Mondale to be some supervillain type, the way my family's Republican friends talked about him, then I watched a couple speeches and this debate, and he didnt seem like a bad guy at all. Glad I learned early on to listen and learn for myself than to accept things 2nd or 3rd hand as gospel.

[@thezombiecreeper]

Mondale, while his politics weren’t all that great, was a good person. Carter and Mondale were both good people, but crummy politicians. (Carter more so than Mondale)

[@indyracingnut]

Mondale as a person was a very genteel man. I spoke with him for a few minutes, (I was 14 at the time...My parents were Democrats) and I asked him about Reagan said there. Mondale just smiled, put his hand on my shoulder and said "I want you to always remember something. If you can't take a joke, you can't make one either." I asked him as he started walking away..."I'll get to vote for you in '88!!" Tellingly, he smirked saying "Well, if it's not me, it'll be somebody!" I think he knew it was over. This was in Virginia, btw..

[@johnbanks4761]

what a way to turn it around, even his opponent laughed..they had respect back then

[@uoyebuttnuocca]

This is the second best reply in a presidential debate. Of course the first one is - only Rosie o Donnell.

[@matthewcarlon4596]

This one line is what won him the re election

[@Madisonrvr]

Mondale later said, at that moment, I knew the election was over.

[@TheY2AProblem]

0:46 mic drop

[@ehawk3846]

How confident.

[@JeepersCreepers2013]

Reagan had such a great sense of humor and when to use it. He disarmed the reporter and his opponent in one sentence... and he did so without malice. He didn't have to get nasty to win a 49 state landslide.