To what extent did the Religious Right influence the United States presidential election of 1980?

The Religious Right massively influenced the United States presidential election of 1980 as they became Reagan, and later, the Republican party's main base. The Religious Right began as opposition to the permissiveness of the sixties and were antagonised by both Vietnam and student protesters and the controversy surrounding Watergate, causing the change from moderatism to extremism in areas such as; abortion, feminism, homosexuality and the sanctity of marriage and the family. The Religious Right influenced the United States presidential election of 1980 in a number of ways; open attack of Carter, presenting Reagan and themselves as the necessary moral guidance of America and successful campaigns on key issues. This added to Reagan's rhetoric, presenting him both as a man of God and the people of America, tired of both the corruption of Washington and Ford and Carter's stagnation. The influence of the Religious Right allowed Reagan to build himself an image to fit his core base, which were rapidly expanding against the counter culture.