The Poynter Institute Menu Donate State Editions * California * Florida * Iowa * Michigan * New Hampshire * New York * North Carolina * Pennsylvania * Texas * West Virginia * Wisconsin Issues * All Issues * Online hoaxes * Coronavirus * Health Care * Immigration * Extremism * Taxes * Marijuana * Environment * Crime * Guns * Foreign Policy * LGBTQ+ People * Joe Biden * Kamala Harris * Donald Trump * Mitch McConnell * Hakeem Jeffries * Ron DeSantis Media * PunditFact * Tucker Carlson * Sean Hannity * Rachel Maddow * Bloggers * PolitiFact Videos Campaigns * 2024 Elections Truth-o-Meter * True * Mostly True * Half True * Mostly False * False * Pants on Fire Promises * Biden Promise Tracker * Trump-O-Meter * Obameter * Latest Promises About Us * Our Process * Our Staff * En Español * Who pays for PolitiFact? * Advertise with Us * Suggest a Fact-check * Corrections and Updates * Newsletters Donate #### Follow us The Facts Newsletter Sign up English Español ### Get PolitiFact in your inbox. * Weekly Email Newsletter * Daily Email Newsletter Your Email Address Sign Up ![](\\" ![](\\" Chris Christie stated on September 24, 2012 in a news conference: Says Ronald Reagan \"was behind in the polls in 1980 going into the debate with Jimmy Carter and then turned around 10 days later and won 40 states.\" ![\\"true\\"](\\" half-true/6479cbc723379f0ee49c269b0b9790b7.jpg.\\") ![\\"half- true\\"](\\" true.jpg\\") * New Jersey * Elections * Polls and Public Opinion * Chris Christie By Bill Wichert October 1, 2012 # Chris Christie claims Ronald Reagan won 40 states after trailing Jimmy Carter prior to 1980 debate Mitt Romney may have hit a rough patch on the campaign trail, but Gov. Chris Christie recently suggested a winning debate performance this week could propel the Republican presidential candidate to victory in November. Just like the 1980 debate took Ronald Reagan from trailing in the polls to winning 40 states on Election Day, the governor said. The New Jersey governor offered that history lesson last week as Romney and President Barack Obama gear up for their first debate Wednesday. Obama has been leading Romney in most national polls. #### Featured Fact-check ![](\\" ![](\\" Donald Trump stated on August 8, 2024 in a press conference Says his Jan. 6, 2021, speech on the White House Ellipse drew the “same number of people,” as the 1963 March on Washington where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech. ![\\"true\\"](\\" false/33efdb6633e5e2fdc2d4e2f63383a1e0.jpg.\\") ![\\"false\\"](\\" false.jpg\\") By Louis Jacobson • August 9, 2024 \"Ask Ronald Reagan if he were around, you know, who was behind in the polls in 1980 going into the debate with Jimmy Carter and then turned around 10 days later and won 40 states,\" Christie, a Republican, said at a Sept. 24 news conference. \"These debates matter. They’re very important.\" It’s true that Reagan won 44 states in the 1980 election, but it’s not entirely accurate for Christie to say Reagan \"was behind in the polls\" going into the debate with Carter. Leading up to that Oct. 28, 1980 debate -- a week before Election Day -- some polls showed Carter with a slight advantage over Reagan, but other polls had Reagan ahead of the president. Still, given the margins of error attached to the polls, the race appeared too close to call, according to various news articles. The governor’s office did not respond to two e-mails seeking comment. Let’s review some of those poll results. In a Gallup poll released the day before the debate, Carter was leading Reagan by three percentage points, 45 percent to 42 percent. That poll was based on a sample of 1,100 registered voters, including 800 likely voters. Another poll done for ABC News and released around the same time offered the exact opposite results: Reagan stood at 45 percent and Carter at 42 percent among likely voters. But news articles said that because of the margins of error for those two polls, the \"race is essentially even\" and a \"virtual dead heat.\" An Associated Press-NBC News poll around the same time showed Reagan with a greater lead over Carter. Among likely voters, 42 percent supported Reagan and 36 percent backed Carter. That poll still had a margin of error of three percent. \"Generally, comparable results from all these polls fall within the error margins of such surveys, meaning the race is really too close to call,\" the Associated Press wrote. The week before the debate, a CBS News/New York Times poll showed Carter leading Reagan, 43 percent to 41 percent among undecided voters. But given that poll’s sampling error, \"Mr. Carter’s lead thus was highly uncertain, and it is quite possible that Mr. Reagan may actually be somewhat ahead,\" according to a New York Times article. Still, Reagan’s debate performance has been considered a deciding factor in his ultimate victory. \"It is my contention that there was significant change in presidential preference by the public starting with the Carter/Reagan debate that accelerated through election day,\" Warren J. Mitofsky, a pollster for CBS News, later wrote. However, leading up to Election Day, polls failed to capture the scope of Reagan\'s landslide win. As Mitofsky noted, all of the major published polls \"seriously understated\" Reagan’s margin of victory over Carter. In terms of the popular vote, Reagan received about 51.6 percent, beating Carter’s roughly 41.7 percent. The 1980 presidential race also included Independent candidate John B. Anderson, who received about 6.7 percent of the popular vote. Our ruling At a news conference, Christie claimed Ronald Reagan \"was behind in the polls in 1980 going into the debate with Jimmy Carter and then turned around 10 days later and won 40 states.\" Reagan went on to win 44 states, but it was not necessarily the comeback victory described by Christie. Reagan was behind in some polls and ahead of Carter in others. Given the margins of error for the polls, the race was \"too close to call\" and a \"virtual dead heat,\" articles show. We rate the statement Half True. To comment on this ruling, go to NJ.com. #### Read About Our Process The Principles of the Truth-O-Meter ### Our Sources The Star-Ledger, Mitt Romney \'had a bad week,\' Gov. Christie says in wake of \'victims\' comments, Sept. 24, 2012 The Washington Post, Reagan\'s \"Comeback\", Oct. 13, 2008 The New York Times, History Suggests McCain Faces an Uphill Battle, Oct. 12, 2008 American Statistical Association, The 1980 pre-election polls: A review of disparate methods and results, 1981 The Monkey Cage, What Really Happened in the 1980 Presidential Campaign, Aug. 9, 2012 Slate, The Myth of Jimmy Carter\'s \"Eight-Point Lead\" Over Reagan, Sept. 24, 2012 The New Republic, Exploding the Reagan 1980 Comeback Myth, Sept. 12, 2012 Gallup, U.S. Presidential Election Center, accessed Sept. 24, 2012 United Press International, Preview story on Reagan-Carter debate, Oct. 28, 1980 The Washington Post, Carter Goes Into Debate With Lead in New Poll, Oct. 28, 1980 Associated Press, Carter, Reagan: Face-to-Face at Last, Oct. 28, 1980 Associated Press, Election Poll Says Quarter of Likely Voters Haven\'t Made Up Their Minds, Oct. 28, 1980 Associated Press, New Polls Show Tight Race; Debate Site Is Readied, Oct. 27, 1980 Associated Press, Poll Shows Carter and Reagan in Virtual Dead Heat, Oct. 25, 1980 Associated Press, Story on Associated Press-NBC News poll, Oct. 27, 1980 Associated Press, ABC News-Lou Harris Poll Says Presidential Race Dead Heat, Oct. 27, 1980 Associated Press, Story on Reagan-Carter polls, Oct. 22, 1980 U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Historical Election Results: Electoral Votes, by State, accessed Sept. 26-27, 2012 The New York Times, Poll shows President has pulled to even position with Reagan, Oct. 23, 1980 The Washington Post, Candidate Reagan: Always Underrated By His Opposition; Reagan\'s Races: Jokes in the Bar, Votes in the Booth, Nov. 6, 1980 The New York Times, Carter Post-Mortem: Debate Hurt But Wasn’t Only Cause For Defeat, Nov. 9, 1980 Real Clear Politics, General Election: Romney vs. Obama, polling data, accessed Sept. 27, 2012 Huffington Post, 2012 General Election: Romney vs. Obama, polling data, accessed Sept. 27, 2012 The American Presidency Project, 1980 Presidential Election Results, accessed Sept. 27, 2012 ## Browse the Truth-O-Meter ### More by Bill Wichert ![](\\" ![](\\" Chris Christie stated on January 14, 2014 in his “State of the State” address: \"In the entire public school system in Camden last year, only three students graduated college ready.\" ![\\"mostly-true\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"mostly-true\\"](\\" mostly-true.jpg\\") By Bill Wichert • January 26, 2014 ![](\\" ![](\\" Steve Lonegan stated on August 15, 2013 in a radio interview on “Focal Point with Bryan Fischer”: Says under Mayor Cory Booker, Newark has seen \"violent crime up five years in a row, murder up five years in a row.\" ![\\"half-true\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"half-true\\"](\\" true.jpg\\") By Bill Wichert • August 25, 2013 ![](\\" ![](\\" Rush Holt stated on July 22, 2013 in a campaign ad: \"Every single month since 1985 has been warmer than the historic average. All 12 of the warmest years on record have come in the last 15 years.\" ![\\"true\\"](\\" ![\\"true\\"](\\" By Bill Wichert • July 28, 2013 ![](\\" ![](\\" Sheila Oliver stated on July 11, 2013 in an interview on NJToday: \"Most of the U.S. Senate is comprised of multimillionaires.\" ![\\"mostly-true\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"mostly-true\\"](\\" mostly-true.jpg\\") By Bill Wichert • July 25, 2013 ![](\\" ![](\\" John Wisniewski stated on February 2, 2013 in a campaign rally: \"We have a governor who\'s vetoed measures like increasing our minimum wage and restoring the earned income tax cut.\" ![\\"mostly-true\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"mostly-true\\"](\\" mostly-true.jpg\\") By Bill Wichert • February 14, 2013 ![](\\" ![](\\" Cory Booker stated on February 1, 2013 in a panel discussion on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher”: Says \"right now, we have more military spending than the next 10, 11, 12 countries combined.\" ![\\"true\\"](\\" ![\\"true\\"](\\" By Bill Wichert • February 10, 2013 ![](\\" ![](\\" Barbara Buono stated on January 29, 2013 in an interview on Fox 5’s Good Day New York: Says the pension and health benefits reform \"eliminated collective bargaining for health benefits.\" ![\\"half-true\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"half-true\\"](\\" true.jpg\\") By Bill Wichert • February 7, 2013 ![](\\" ![](\\" Chris Christie stated on February 4, 2013 in an interview on the “Late Show with David Letterman”: Says \"in Katrina, they approved $60 billion within 10 days of the storm on a voice vote.\" ![\\"half-true\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"half-true\\"](\\" true.jpg\\") By Bill Wichert • February 6, 2013 ![](\\" ![](\\" Chris Christie stated on January 22, 2013 in a radio interview on New Jersey 101.5’s “Ask the Governor”: Says \"on the state level, we spend less today than Jon Corzine spent in fiscal year 2008, five years later.\" ![\\"mostly-true\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"mostly-true\\"](\\" mostly-true.jpg\\") By Bill Wichert • February 3, 2013 ![](\\" ![](\\" Rodney Frelinghuysen stated on January 15, 2013 in a speech on the House floor: Says \"the area damaged by Hurricane Sandy represents roughly 10 percent of our nation\'s economy.\" ![\\"mostly-true\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"mostly-true\\"](\\" mostly-true.jpg\\") By Bill Wichert • January 31, 2013 ![](\\" ![](\\" Stephen Sweeney stated on January 8, 2013 in a radio interview: Says Chris Christie \"vetoed\" a \"jobs package\" of \"30 bills.\" ![\\"half-true\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"half-true\\"](\\" true.jpg\\") By Bill Wichert • January 27, 2013 ![](\\" ![](\\" Barbara Buono stated on January 13, 2013 in an interview on bluejersey.com: Says Chris Christie’s plan \"to kick-start our economy\" is to propose an \"income tax cut that disproportionately benefits the wealthy, and...he\'s still proposing it.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Bill Wichert • January 24, 2013 ![](\\" ![](\\" Bill Pascrell stated on December 31, 2012 in an interview on WOR-AM: Says \"how much money the government is collecting from people...in terms of the gross domestic product\" is \"the lowest in 40, 50 years.\" ![\\"mostly-true\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"mostly-true\\"](\\" mostly-true.jpg\\") By Bill Wichert • January 13, 2013 ![](\\" ![](\\" Robert Menendez stated on December 27, 2012 in a speech on the Senate floor: Says \"10 days after Hurricane Katrina, this chamber passed two separate bills amounting to $60 billion. It has been nearly two months since we had Superstorm Sandy, and nothing has passed.\" ![\\"true\\"](\\" ![\\"true\\"](\\" By Bill Wichert • January 3, 2013 ![](\\" ![](\\" Chris Christie stated on December 19, 2012 in a radio interview on New Jersey 101.5’s “Ask the Governor”: Says \"our economy in New Jersey gets $38 billion from the businesses at the Shore.\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Bill Wichert • December 30, 2012 ### Chris Christie claims Ronald Reagan won 40 states after trailing Jimmy Carter prior to 1980 debate * ![](\\" ![](\\" Josh Stein stated on September 5, 2024 in a press release: “Mark Robinson skips Board of Education vote on teacher bonuses to hold campaign event.” ![\\"barely-true\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"barely-true\\"](\\" barely-true.jpg\\") By Paul Specht • September 6, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Viral image stated on September 4, 2024 in an Instagram post: An image shows the social media profile of the accused suspect in the Apalachee High School shooting. ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Ciara O\'Rourke • September 5, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Social Media stated on August 31, 2024 in a post: McDonald’s “said they have no record whatsoever of Kamala Harris ever working at any of their locations.” ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Sara Swann • September 5, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" X posts stated on September 4, 2024 in an X post: “BREAKING: Apalachee High School shooter has been identified as non-binary trans girl Samantha Hyde.” ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Loreben Tuquero • September 5, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Instagram posts stated on September 3, 2024 in an Instagram post: “Kamala Harris said she will shut down X if elected.” ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Sofia Ahmed • September 5, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Viral image stated on September 2, 2024 in an Instagram post: “In less than 48 hours the United States government is shutting down for good.” ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Ciara O\'Rourke • September 5, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Facebook posts stated on September 2, 2024 in a Facebook post: Photo shows a child “saved” by Deputy Ryan Braidley in Elko County, Nevada. ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Ciara O\'Rourke • September 5, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Donald Trump stated on August 30, 2024 in an interview at a Moms for Liberty Conference: “The transgender thing is incredible... your kid goes to school and comes home a few days later with an operation. The school decides what’s going to happen with your child.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Grace Abels • September 5, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Kamala Harris stated on August 22, 2024 in su discurso de aceptación en la Convención Nacional Demócrata: El expresidente Donald Trump “tiene la intención de promulgar lo que, en efecto, es un impuesto nacional sobre las ventas…que elevaría los precios para las familias de clase media a casi $4,000 al año”. ![\\"half-true\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"half-true\\"](\\" true.jpg\\") By Marta Campabadal Graus • September 5, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" X posts stated on September 3, 2024 in a video posted on X: On June 7, 2011, Kamala Harris was involved in a San Francisco hit-and-run crash that injured a woman named Alicia Brown. ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Madison Czopek • September 5, 2024 Load more ### Support independent fact-checking. Become a member! 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Says Ronald Reagan was behind in the polls in 1980 going into the debate with Jimmy Carter and then turned around 10 days later and won 40 states