de SOUZA: A journalist's view from Reagan to Trump

Thirty-six years ago, this writer sat in the press gallery at the Republican National Convention in Joe Louis Arena in Detroit and heard an acceptance speech for the nomination for president that was soothing balm for a fractured party.

Ronald Reagan, the former governor of California, used his trademark soaring rhetoric – a skill honed during his acting career – in accepting the GOP mantle July 17, 1980.

Reagan began by acknowledging the “responsibility conferred by your trust,” but the words that followed set the tone for the rest of evening and ultimately for his presidency.

“I am very proud of our party tonight. This convention has shown to all America a party united, with positive programs for solving the nation’s problems; a party ready to build a new consensus with all those across the land who share a community of values embodied in these words: family, work, neighborhood, peace and freedom.

“More than anything else, I want my candidacy to unify our country; to renew the American spirit and sense of purpose. I want to carry our message to every American, regardless of party affiliation, who is a member of this community of shared values.”

And then he laid out the Republican Party’s agenda of the 1980 presidential election that could well apply today.

“Never before in our history have Americans been called upon to face three grave threats to our very existence, any one of which could destroy us. We face a disintegrating economy, a weakened defense and an energy policy based on the sharing of scarcity.”

Reagan took direct aim at the Democratic Party “for this unprecedented calamity which has befallen us.”

While it is true that Democratic President Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Congress were trying to deal with the “malaise” (Carter’s word) afflicting the country, Reagan’s speech at the 1980 GOP convention and those on the campaign trail had the effect of grabbing the attention of the American people.

Carter lost his bid for a second term to Reagan, who went on to become the undisputed leader of the Republican Party. And, he burnished his reputation as “ the Great Communicator.”

Reagan died June 5, 2004.

Now, 36 years after the beginning of the Reagan Era, the Republican Party is entering another period in its history, this one defined by a man who has never held public office and is not a political ideologue.

Read more about him and the GOP's journey to this day in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.