9:30 EASTERN STANDARD TIME more than half the country—120 million viewers—flipped on their TVs, some with their phones at the ready: ABC had organized a poll, one fifty-cent 900 number to dial to “vote” for Carter, another for Reagan. The candidates crossed the big empty stage. Reagan continued past his podium to shake Carter’s hand. The president hadn’t been prepared for that. He appeared taken aback. Reagan won
