Has the Republicans’ Reagan era ended, and the Trump era begun?

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.

“I know we have had a quarrel or two, but only as to the method of attaining a goal. There was no argument about the goal. As president, I will establish a liaison with the 50 governors to encourage them to eliminate, where it exists, discrimination against women. I will monitor federal laws to insure their implementation and to add statutes if they are needed.

“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.

Indeed, Donald J. Trump, the New York City billionaire businessman, defies definition. He won the Republican nomination for president by forging a coalition of angry blue-collar white workers (mostly men), disaffected Republicans, independents and Democrats. His promise to “Make America Great Again” may be pedestrian, but it has proved to be effective. It was a rallying cry that enabled Trump to capture most of the state primaries and caucuses and chalk up more than the required number of delegates to secure the GOP nomination. He trampled over 16 candidates to grab the brass ring. His no-holds-barred strategy may have been successful, but it angered many of his opponents and their followers.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s refusal to endorse Trump and his decision to stay away from the convention has exacerbated the rift within the party.

Thus, the challenge that confronted Trump on Thursday when he accepted the GOP nomination for president was much like the one Ronald Reagan faced in 1980.

Reagan delivered in spades.

What about Trump?

Here’s how he stamped the Republican Party with his globally recognized label “Trump”:

“Together, we will lead our party back to the White House, and we will lead our country back to safety, prosperity and peace. We will be a country of generosity and warmth. But we will also be a country of law and order.

“Our convention occurs at a moment of crisis for the nation. The attack on our police and the terrorism in our cities threaten our very way of life. Any politician who does not grasp this danger is not fit to lead our country.

“Americans watching this address tonight have seen recent images of violence in our streets and the chaos in our communities. Many have witnessed this violence personally; some have even been its victims.

“I have a message for all of you: The crime and violence that today afflicts our nation will soon – and I mean very soon – come to an end. Beginning on Jan. 20, 2017, safety will be restored.”

Trump spent a great deal of time attacking Hillary Clinton, who will be nominated next week at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, and will deliver her acceptance speech Thursday. He also unleashed a brutal evaluation of Democratic President Barack Obama’s two terms in the White House.

Trump’s speech was red meat for the millions of voters who supported him in the primaries and caucuses.

But did it meet the rhetorical standard set by Reagan so Republicans would be willing to talk about the Trump era of the Grand Old Party?

Here’s the nominee’s claim to the mantle: “I am your voice.”