Dirck in RealAudio

Ronald Reagan in RealAudio

George Bush and Ronald Reagan first faced each other in the 1980 campaign. Bush was the odds-on-favorite to win in New Hampshire. At a dinner appearance with Reagan, Bush expressed delight when told by a New Hampshire publisher who was to hold a mini-debate between the candidates the following night that Reagan would be restricted in the length of his remarks. Reagan fumed all night and the next day, until when finally told that his mike was being shut off at the debate, he grabbed the mike and said, "I am paying for this microphone!"  That quip changed the dynamic of the race overnight.