Administration of Harrington Byrd (R) (jan 20, 1977 – jan 19, 1981)

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While elected on a platform of fiscal responsibility, this moderate Republican also had an eye on international affairs when coming to office with a slim majority. The détente with Russia had been unchanged for the last decade, with Brezhnev largely focused on keeping his own house in order. With Brezhnev dead, this created the opportunity to work with the new Premier Kirilenko on further thaws to the cold war. Landing the first men on the moon late in his term was a crowing achievement, and the culmination of the space race to that point.

However, his successes paled to bad luck.

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