"Four years of Jimmy Carter gave us two titanic Reagan landslides, peace and prosperity for eight blessed years - and even a third term for his feckless vice president, George H.W. Bush"

Ann Coulter’s remark draws a direct causal link between the presidency of Jimmy Carter and the political shift that led to Ronald Reagan’s landslide victories and the subsequent election of George H.W. Bush. Her phrase “Four years of Jimmy Carter” references the Democratic administration of 1977–1981, suggesting that specific policies, crises, or perceived mismanagement during Carter’s tenure generated widespread dissatisfaction among Americans.

The statement “gave us two titanic Reagan landslides” points to the 1980 and 1984 presidential elections in which Reagan, a Republican, defeated Carter and then Walter Mondale, respectively, by overwhelming electoral margins. By using the word “titanic,” Coulter underscores the magnitude of Reagan’s victories, implying they were not merely wins but overwhelming rejections of Carter-era governance by the electorate. The phrase credits these electoral shifts to a reaction against what she portrays as Carter’s unsuccessful policies, especially regarding the economy, like inflation and unemployment, and foreign policy setbacks, such as the Iran hostage crisis.

Moving to “peace and prosperity for eight blessed years,” Coulter asserts that the Reagan presidency was marked by economic recovery, increased national pride, and relative stability. She adopts a notably positive tone, describing the Reagan era as a period of collective American flourishing. This appraisal aligns with a conservative perspective that champions Reaganomics, tax cuts, deregulation, and increased military spending, as key factors in revitalizing the U.S. economy and restoring its international stature after what they viewed as a period of decline.

The last part, referencing a “third term for his feckless vice president, George H.W. Bush,” connects Reagan’s popularity to Bush’s subsequent election in 1988. “Feckless” indicates Coulter’s criticism of Bush’s competence, but she attributes his presidential win largely to the residual goodwill and success associated with Reagan’s leadership rather than Bush’s own abilities. This assertion is intended to reinforce the idea that public exhaustion with Carter paved the way not just for Reagan, but for an extended period of Republican dominance.