Short Answer 
Reagan highlighted inflation and economic struggles under Carter, urging voters to consider their financial situations. In contrast, Carter defended his long-term strategies and pointed to external factors affecting the economy, though both candidates lacked detailed solutions, needing more clarity in their arguments.
Step 1: Understanding Reagan’s Argument
Ronald Reagan focused on the issue of inflation during the 1980 election by criticizing the high interest rates and economic struggles from Jimmy Carter’s administration. He posed a crucial question, ‘Are you better off than you were four years ago?’, to make voters reflect on their current financial situations. Reagan’s key points included:
- Highlighting the connection between high interest rates and inflation.
- Linking economic challenges directly to Carter’s policies.
- Emphasizing voter well-being to sway public opinion.
Step 2: Carter’s Defensive Strategy
In response, Jimmy Carter defended his economic policies by arguing that his actions were aimed at achieving long-term stability. He pointed to external economic factors as reasons for the recession and asserted that stopping inflation required careful measures. Carter’s main arguments included:
- Belief that his policies would reduce inflation gradually.
- Claiming broader economic issues were the root of the problems.
- Emphasizing the need for patience in recovering from inflation.
Step 3: Evaluating the Arguments
Both candidates had points that could be debated; Reagan excelled in presenting problems but lacked detailed solutions, while Carter needed to clarify his plans for effective inflation management. An effective counterpoint to Reagan’s argument is the necessity of high interest rates to combat inflation, which he could have better explained with economic data. Key evaluation points include:
- Reagan’s failure to provide concrete solutions to inflation.
- Carter’s need for greater specificity in his proposals.
- The importance of understanding economic data in political arguments.