Polls Show Reagan Lead - First of Two Reagan-Mondale TV Debates Set for Oct. 7

Oct 13, 2026

Three national polls released during the 1984 campaign show Ronald Reagan building a commanding lead over Walter Mondale, with reported margins of 18, 21, and 30 percentage points across major outlets. The article contrasts Reagan’s advantages as a sitting president—using presidential power to influence voters—with Mondale’s limited ability to communicate his message. It outlines two scheduled Reagan-Mondale debates and highlights key issues likely to be discussed, including the federal deficit and foreign policy.

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National Polls

Presidential Power

What Will They Debate?

Focus on the News

# Polls ShowBig Reagan Lead First of Two Reagan-Mondale TV Debates Setfor Oct.7 WASHINGTON,D.C.—On yourmark!Get set!Go! Like runners beginning a long race,both Walter Mondale and Ronald Reagancharged out of the starting blocks onLabor Day(Sept.3)—the official startof the 1984 presidential campaign.Eachcandidate predicted that voters wouldmake him the next President on ElectionDay,Nov.6.Now,with only four weeksto go,it seems that one candidate—Ronald Reagan—has rushed to a com-manding lead in the race to the nation'stop job. President Reagan has a commanding lead,according to three national polls. UPI # urrent Events ## National Polls Three national polls released lastmonth show just how far Reagan hasjumped ahead.A poll by Newsweekmagazine reported that 57 percent ofU.S.voters favored Reagan,and only 39percent were for Mondale—a lead of 18percentage points.A CBS/New YorkTimes poll showed Mondale trailingReagan by 21 percentage points.And aSept.16 poll by NBC gave Reagan awhopping lead of 30 percentage points. Among those polled,Reagan sup-porters said that they saw Reagan as abetter leader than Mondale.They alsosaid that they thought Reagan was betterable to solve the nation's problems. All this,ofcourse,is bad news for theMondale campaign.The polls were con-ducted in all parts of the U.S.and amongall ages and ethnic groups.In recentelections,such September polls have ac-curately predicted the winner in Novem-ber.But—as Mondale supporters pointout—polls have a way of changingquickly before an election. ## Presidential Power Experts point out that Reagan,as asitting President,has a built-in advan-tage over a challenger,such as Mondale. Reagan can use his power as Presidentto do things that influence voters.He cansign bills and meet with important for-eign leaders.In late September,for in-stance,President Reagan signed into lawa bill to help U.S.farmers.He also an-nounced plans to help the ailing U.S.steel industry.In contrast,challengerMondale could only talk—and try to gethis message across to voters. Mondale hopes that two nationwidedebates this month will help him pull ahead of Reagan in the campaign.Thefirst debate,which will focus on U.S.affairs,is set for this Sunday(Oct.7).The debate will last 90 minutes and willbe carried by all three major TV net-works.The second Reagan-Mondale de-bate,scheduled for Oct.21,will focuson U.S.military spending and foreignpolicy.On October 11—four days afterthe first Reagan-Mondale debate—therewill be a TV debate between the twovice-presidential candidates,RepublicanGeorge Bush and Democrat GeraldineFerraro. ## What Will They Debate? Mondale,who charges that Reagan hasrefused to discuss the issues,say he plansto “smoke out”Reagan's views about Continued on Next Page UP Wafter Mondale belleves that the two pres-idential debates will help him. world and national problems in the twodebates.One such problem likely to bediscussed in the first debate is the highfederal deficit.The deficit is red ink—the money owed by the Federal Govern-ment because it has spent more than ittook in.High deficits harm the U.S.economy.To reduce the deficit,Mondalesays that he will raise taxes.Reagan saysthat he has no plan to raise taxes andthinks that the deficit can be reduced byother means.Mondale says that the nextPresident will have to raise taxes—or riskdestroying the U.S.economy. Reagan accuses Mondale and theDemocrats of "singing the blues"aboutthe U.S.economy.Times are better thanever,says Reagan;inflation is down andmore people have jobs than ever before. arimAtookeism A pollster at work Foreign Policy In the second presidential debate,Mondale hopes to convince voters thatReagan's policies have led to a moredangerous world.He blames Reagan fornot trying harder to talk to the Sovietsabout reducing nuclear arms.He alsoblames Reagan for the continuing U.S.involvement in Central America and forspeeding up the arms race.Reagan de-fends his policy of buildi

FAQs

What do the three national polls indicate about Reagan and Mondale?

The polls show Reagan leading Mondale by sizable margins, ranging from 18 to 30 percentage points depending on the survey.

Why does the article say Reagan has an advantage over Mondale?

It attributes the advantage to Reagan’s position as a sitting president, allowing him to influence voters through actions such as signing bills and engaging foreign leaders.

What issues does Mondale expect to address in the upcoming debates?

The article notes likely focus on the federal deficit in the first debate and on foreign policy themes in the second, including how Reagan’s policies affected global safety.

Oct 13, 2026

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