Election Reflects Poor Performance, Not Shift in Views

The 1980 presidential election did not represent a fundamental shift in voter outlook but was simply a rejection of poor performance, Douglas A. Hibbs, professor of Government, said yesterday.

Hibbs told an audience of about 30 during a seminar at the Center for International Affairs (CfIA) that unless President Reagan succeeds in improving the country's economic position, his administration will represent a "one term, political aberration."

Hibbs and Sidney Verba '53, professor of Government, were speaking on "The 1980 Election: One Year Later."

If the U.S. economy improves significantly during Reagan's term, a solid political base for "Reaganism" may develop, similar to the continuing support of Roosevelt after his initial election in 1932, Hibbs said. He added that Reagan would probably benefit even if the improvement is inaccurately attributed to him.

Verba, who specializes in voting behavior, said it was probably voter perception of Carter as "incompetent" that led to the former president's defeat.

Because the broad choices in 1980 resembled those in the 1964 election--with a relative centrist running against a relative right-winger--Verba said he expected Carter to win, as Johnson did in 1964.

Voters may have perceived Carter as farther left than he actually was, Verba added.

Carter had the worst economic record since Hoover, Hibbs said, adding the a survey of voters as they left the voting booths last November showed that more Reagan supporters cited inflation and the economy than any other issue as the reason for their support.