Reagan only took two years!

[Speedy]

Pres. Carter broke the back of stagflation which set up things for his successor. Pres. Reagan's massive deficit spending (now known as 'stimulus'), increasing the national debt, as a percentage, more than any other president who was not fighting a world war, thus managing an increase in employment and GDP. Pres. Bush II was second only to Pres. Reagan in driving up the debt by percentage increase. That is why Democratic presidents are the more fiscally prudent.