Reagan-Mondale Debate 2

Summary

The second of two debates between President Ronald Reagan and former Vice President Walter F. Mondale was held in Kansas City, Missouri on October 21, 1984. Edwin Newman was the debate moderator. Georgie Anne Geyer, Marvin Kalb, Morton Kondracke, and Henry Trewhitt were the four panelists who asked questions.

This second debate was on defense and foreign policy. Questions focused on the following topics: Central America, the Soviet Union, regions vital to U.S. interests, Eastern Europe, use of military force, Nicaragua, Lebanon, the president’s age, strategic missiles, the president’s leadership, illegal immigration, Armageddon, the Strategic Defense Initiative, nuclear freeze, support for U.S. allies, nuclear weapons, and closing statements. Reagan won a landslide victory in 1984 winning every state except Minnesota and the District of Columbia.

To see both a text version and a video version of this debate, search online for “Ronald Reagan major speeches”. Audio recording courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.