Page "Nancy Reagan" Paragraph 21

Though he lost the 1976 Republican nomination, Reagan ran again for the presidency in 1980 and succeeded in winning the nomination and election.

During this second campaign, Nancy played a very prominent role and her management of staff became more apparent.

She arranged a meeting among feuding campaign managers John Sears and Michael Deaver and her husband, which resulted in Deaver leaving the campaign and Sears being given full control.

After the Reagan camp lost the Iowa caucus and fell behind in New Hampshire polls, Nancy organized a second meeting and decided it was time to fire Sears and his associates ; she gave Sears a copy of the press release announcing his dismissal.

Her influence on her husband became particularly notable ; her presence at rallies, luncheons, and receptions increased his confidence.