OPINION:
It is widely considered one of the best and most powerful political ads ever. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan’s reelection campaign aired “Morning in America Again.” The spot contrasted the growth and success enjoyed by Americans across our country to the malaise that our country endured under the failed leadership of his predecessor, Jimmy Carter.
Now, 40 years later, it’s time to update that ad. But the situation is reversed: Americans are sinking under the compounding crisis of rising prices caused by “Bidenflation.” Our country is weakened around the globe. Iran, one of the signature global failures of the Carter administration, vexes President Biden through its proxy genocidal and antisemitic attack on Israel. It is also deepening his political problems as “woke” progressive Democrats support Hamas terrorists over our country’s long-standing support for Israel.
The end of this famous political commercial asks Americans, “Why would we want to go back to the way things were just four short years ago?”
Today, Mr. Biden can’t ask that question because polling shows Americans disapprove of his leadership generally and concerning just about every major policy. It is for former President Donald Trump, the overwhelming favorite in 2024 to recapture the nomination of the party of Reagan, to ask why we would want four more years of Mr. Biden’s mistakes and mismanagement when Americans from all walks of life had it so much better four years ago.
What was “Morning in America” in 1984 can now be best summed up in 2024 as “Mourning in America” under Mr. Biden.
Original 1984 script:
“It’s morning again in America. Today, more men and women will go to work than ever before in our nation’s history.”
2024 update:
“It’s mourning again in America. Today, more men and women will add to their credit card debt and take money from their retirement as their paychecks just don’t keep up anymore.”
Original 1984 script:
“With interest rates at about half the record highs of 1980, nearly 2,000 families will buy new homes, more than at any time in the last four years.”
2024 update:
“With interest rates at about the highest level in 20 years, many young people will be forced to keep living in their parents’ house, and many families wonder if they will ever be able to afford to buy their own home.”
Original 1984 script:
“This afternoon, 6,500 young men and women will be married, and with inflation at less than half of what it was just four years ago, they can look forward with confidence to the future.”
2024 update:
“This afternoon, 6,500 unvetted immigrants will illegally cross our southern border. Armed with work permits and the promise of free, taxpayer-funded health care, travel, lodging and food, they will stay here for years before we know if they are eligible to be in the United States.”
Original 1984 script:
“It’s morning again in America, and under the leadership of President Reagan, our country is stronger and prouder and better.”
2024 update:
“It’s mourning again in America, and under the leadership of President Biden, our country is weaker and less prosperous and worse off than before.”
Original 1984 script:
“Why would we ever want to return to where we were less than four short years ago.”
2024 update:
“Why would we want to continue with this failure when we were so much better off just four short years ago.”
Mr. Biden knows he can’t ask the question Reagan asked. Americans, by an overwhelming margin, oppose his policies because they produce horrible results. According to the RealClearPolitics average, Americans disapprove of Mr. Biden’s handling of every major issue: the economy (60% disapprove), foreign policy (60% disapprove), immigration (64% disapprove), inflation (64% disapprove) and crime (54% disapprove).
You can’t ask Americans why they would want to go back when two-thirds of the American people think our country is headed in the wrong direction. Don’t buy the spin about “defending democracy.” The only reason Democrats want to discuss this is because they can’t discuss anything else.
President Biden has an uphill climb. It’s not easy telling Americans to disbelieve what they see with their own eyes and when looking at their bank statements.
America is mourning. We remember we had it better, and many want to make it “Morning in America” again.
• Marc Lotter has spent 20 years in politics and public service, including working on three presidential campaigns. He previously served as director of strategic communication in the Trump 2020 presidential campaign and in the Trump White House as special assistant to the president and press secretary to the vice president of the United States.
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