Why does Reagan rank as one of the most influential presidents of the twentieth century

In the 1988 presidential election, Reagan's vice president, George Bush (right), won the White House by promising to carry on the policies of the Reagan administration. Bush proved less successful than Reagan, in part because he was considered a moderate Republican, and he did not receive the same loyalty that Reagan had enjoyed among conservatives. Lacking Reagan's personal charm and polished speaking style, Bush was often compared unfavorably with his predecessor. Finally, the Cold War against the Soviet Union ended between 1989 and 1991, depriving the Republican party of one of its chief issues -- staunch opposition to communism.

Reagan's legacy remains influential within the Republican Party, in which social and economic conservatism are still powerful. His influence is also felt throughout American politics, since his determination to reduce the size and power of the federal government remains a widely popular position, even among Democrats. If Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal of the 1930s marks the extraordinary rise of the power and role of the federal government, the Reagan presidency may well mark the decline of Washington's role. Whether one considers his policies wise or mistaken, Reagan's ability to implement his vision of America ranks him as an unusually influential president.