Presidents Theme

Presidents Theme
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Who is this president?

____ W. ____, the 40th president of the United States, was the only actor to have been elected to that office. After he graduated from Eureka College he became a radio sports announcer. In 1937 he won his first Hollywood contract, and during the next 20 years he appeared in 53 films. As president of the Screen Actors Guild, ____ became embroiled in disputes over the issue of Communism in the film industry; his political views shifted from liberal to conservative. He toured the country as a television host, becoming a spokesman for conservatism. He served as governor of California from 1966 to 1974. When the Republican Party nominated him for the presidency in 1980, he chose former Texas Congressman and United Nations Ambassador George H. Bush as his running mate. Easily defeating President Jimmy Carter by 489 electoral votes to 49, ____ took office on January 20, 1981. Only 69 days later he was shot by a would-be assassin, John Hinckley, but quickly recovered and returned to duty. During the course of his first term, President ____ worked skillfully with Congress passing laws to spur economic growth, curb inflation, increase employment, and strengthen national defense. He was also passionately dedicated to cutting taxes and lowering government spending. In 1984, ____ and Bush won a second term with an extraordinary number of electoral votes turning away Democratic challengers Walter F. Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro. During his second term President ____ obtained a complete revision of the income tax code, which eliminated many deductions and exempted many people with low incomes from paying any taxes at all. His foreign policy included increased defense spending, negotiation with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to eliminate some classes of missiles, and the declaration of war on international terrorism. He ordered naval escorts in the Persian Gulf to maintain the free flow of oil during the war between Iran and Iraq. In keeping with his strong anti-Communist beliefs, he offered support to rebel groups in Central America, Asia, and Africa. The Iran-Contra Affair, a scandal that cost him some popular support, was the result of an arms for hostages deal arranged by Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North. His popularity gradually recovered, however. At the end of his second term of office, the United States was enjoying its longest record of peacetime prosperity and his goal of "peace through strength" seemed possible.

He testified as a friendly witness before the House Un-American Activities Committee and cooperated in the blacklisting of actors, directors, and writers suspected of Communist sympathies.

During this president's term, the space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after lift-off.

He and his second wife, Nancy Davis, had two children, Patricia and ____.

He was the 40th president of the United States.

This president once said "I would have voted against the Civil Rights Act of 1964."

Who is this president?

Rutherford B. Hayes

Zachary Taylor

Ronald Reagan

George Bush

Andrew Jackson

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