Final answer:
Walter Mondale lost the 1984 U.S. presidential election to Ronald Reagan in a historic landslide. Reagan's re-election was bolstered by national self-confidence and the political power of the New Right.
Step-by-step explanation:
Walter Mondale lost the U.S. presidential election of 1984. He was the Democratic challenger against incumbent President Ronald Reagan.The 1984 presidential election showcased a significant victory for President Ronald Reagan, who was seeking re-election with Vice President George H. W. Bush. Together, Reagan and Bush achieved an overwhelming win, securing a second term through a landslide victory in terms of the electoral college. Their opponents, Walter F. Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro, representing the Democratic Party, faced defeat in this decisive election.
Reagan's popularity, stemming from a perceived renewal of national self-confidence, played a crucial role in his re-election. His administration capitalized on the political power of the New Right and appealed significantly to conservative voters, including self-identified Evangelical Christians who previously supported Jimmy Carter in the 1976 election. Mondale's loss also highlighted the realities of voter turnout and the workings of the Electoral College system, where distribution of votes across states can create disparities between the popular vote and electoral vote outcomes.