Reagan rising

"In 1976, when Ronald Reagan narrowly lost his bid for the GOP presidential nomination to Gerald Ford--his second attempt after 1968--most observers believed Reagan's political career was over. Yet one year later, at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, Reagan sounded like a new man. He introduced conservatives to a 'New Republican Party, ' one that looked beyond the traditional country club and corporate boardroom base to embrace 'the man and woman in the factories ... the farmer ... the cop on the beat. Our party, ' Reagan said, 'must be the party of the individual. It must not sell out the individual to cater to the group.' Reagan's movement quickly spread, supported by emerging conservative leaders and influential think tanks. Meanwhile, for the first time in modern history, Reagan also began drawing young people to American conservatism. But the former governor's political philosophy wasn't the only thing that was changing. A new man was emerging as well: The angry anti-Communist was evolving into a more reflective, thoughtful, hopeful, and spiritual leader. He championed the individual at home, rejecting containment and détente abroad, and advocating for the d