44 World News SIGN: TRANSITIONS _ Wide World Photos 1981 was a year of transition. A Reagan took office only minformer peanut farmer and a utes before the hostages were former actor battled for the freed from Iran. The nation seemPresidency. When the smoke ed to be riding a peak of encleared, the first Hollywood presi- thusiasm and patriotism for weeks dent, and the oldest president had following the inauguration. "It's been elected. Elegance was put a day that will live in history," a back into the Presidency just as it White House official stated. "It's it had been taken out four years probably the finest Inaugural preago. . ' sent the nation could have been The inaugural ball was an ex- given.~' travaganza. First Lady Nancy Following his speech, Reagan Reagan dressed in a designer even- froze the hiring of Federal ing gown, sharply in contrast to employees. In his first press conthe former First Lady who had ference, he also froze all federal bought her dress "off the rack." regulations until "his people" Reagan's victory as President could determine the necessity of was interpreted as a mandate for a the positions. He even joked with return to traditional values and Democratic House Speaker Tip morality. It seemed ironic too that O'Neill who had been bitterly opa man nearly seventy years old was posed to him in the election. leading us in a "New Beginning." At the onset of the eighties, In his inaugural address, Reagan seemed to offer a definite Reagan reiterated themes he had contrast to Carter. Ret:.gan spoke emphasized during his campaign. firmly to his cabinet, "We're not "We must act today in order to here to be timid." He sounded preserve tomorrow. And let there like he meant it. be no misunderstanding - we are going to act today. In this present crisis, government is not the solution; it is the problem." LEFT: NEWLY ELECTED Ronald Reagan with wife, Nancy. displays emolions of victory. A CHANGE IN STYLE President Carter tangled over the snares of foreign policy, inflation, the Soviets and unemployment. According to one Gallup poll, the American people felt that he had failed on all four issues. His final triumph, however, was his best. As he left the office of President and Ronald Reagan was sworn in, the American hostages were being released. The return of the 52 hostages could perhaps be seen as Carter 's brightest moment. Carter will be remembered for his work in civil service reform, airline, trucking and financial institutions deregulation , the Egyptian-Isreali peace treaty and an energy program. He was a symbol of personal integrity. but other issues of the presidency elluded him. Inflation and interest rates doubled during his term Jimmy Carter stepped down from the Presidency. He ended his reign like he had begun it - as an outsider and an enigma. "He is like the Cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland, " a Democratic Party official said. " He is di sappearing into the trees, and there is nothing left but the smile.'" Carter ran again in J 980 on the platform that he had learned a lot in the past four years, but he could not overcome his record as President. History will judge the impact of the Georgian peanut farmer who became President for only one term. RIGHT: PRESIDENT Corter maintains a solemn attitude during hisjinal moments as president at the inauguration oj President Reagan. _ Wid~ World Photos
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