The fervor of the candidate promising that bush will

the fervor of the candidate: promising that Bush will carry on his conservative legacy, labeling
the Democratic party as “doom-ocrats.” 14 As the Presidential race was tightening that showed a 7
point lead for Bush over the Democratic rival Michael Dukakis compared to a 12 point spread
earlier that week, Reagan and his team were spending the last three days in key states such as
Texas and California. In the specific speech Reagan was giving to the convention, he appealed to
the Texan voters by connecting with them over their pride of their state. He did this by naming
key politicians and thinkers and emphasizing the serious of this upcoming election by stating,
“no one in America understands more clearly than you that today America stands on the brink of
of an era of national greatness that will exceed anything that any other country on Earth has ever
known before.”
15
Reagan also emphasized the importance of anyone holding the Presidential
office and how it was key that the American people would elect someone with a true interest in
14
14
Matthis, Mark. "President Reagan, on His Final Campaign Swing." UPI. November 05,
1988. Accessed October 20, 2018. -
on-his-final-campaign-swing-for-Republican/5333594709200/.
15
15
Ibid

10
keeping America great. The United States had become a model to be followed and imitated by
the rest of the world. Nation after nation was turning to democracy and heads of states had come
to Reagan telling him about their plans to reduce taxes and doing things that America had already
implemented. Communism was in retreat, and freedom was on the march around the world.
American culture and technology continued to dominate the world to such a degree that from
television’s “Dallas” to Disneyland to the space shuttle Discovery, an entire planet is watching
and following us.”
16
In this speech, Reagan also emphasized the opposition’s support of gun
control, warning Texans not to believe the popular notion that “we won’t take your guns away.”
He took this stance and swayed in a way to voice his and Bush’s support for the local and armed
forces. Along with other issues, Reagan brilliantly crafted his arguments in a way that whatever
the American people stood for— he noted that “they’re against it.” By doing this, he was able to
rally support for traditional Republican ideals that resonated with many American citizens who
witnessed firsthand the fruits of the Reagan Administration. Lastly, Reagan offered a glimpse of
hope, reminding America’s best days were yet to come. With the election in just three days, he
emphasized the importance of the two candidates—a choice one makes for the vision of
America, a dream all citizens share. The vision was the continuation of creating a new nation of
free people, a country that would be a light unto the Nation and “a shining city on a hill.” Reagan
reminded the citizens of the change that began 8 years ago, and now it was the time to keep the
change alive.