Posted on 02/14/2008 2:14:33 PM PST by smoothsailing
Ronald Reagan Would Back McCain
By Michael Reagan
Thursday, February 14, 2008
In 1976 the Ford vs. Reagan campaign for the Republican presidential nomination got so heated it looked as if my father and Jerry Ford would never again talk to one another.
When it was over and Ford had won, what did Ronald Reagan do? He simply went all-out to help Ford win his re-election, as did I and as did my sister Maureen. My dad simply followed his rule of backing the Republican candidate no matter who he was.
Assuming that John McCain will be the Republican nominee, you can bet my father would be itching to get out on the campaign trail working to elect him even if he disagreed with him on a number of issues.
Unlike my father, a lot of conservatives stayed home in 1976, and we got four years of Jimmy Carter, whose main legacy was to drive the Shah of Iran from power and create the Islamic Republic of Iran with a bunch of wild-eyed mullahs running the show. He also gave us 20 percent inflation and long, long lines at the gas pumps. And don't forget 440 days of Americans held hostage by the mullahs.
By staying home those conservatives made possible the future election of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
We are still suffering from the legacy of James Earl Carter, thanks to the conservatives who refused to follow Ronald Reagan's example and instead sulked at home while the nation was being handed over to the worst president in American history.
We were still in the middle of the Cold War in those days, and by staying home conservatives risked losing that war by allowing an incompetent leader to become commander in chief.
Four years later Ronald Reagan took over, the hostages were immediately released, and he went on to win the Cold War. Now we have another world-wide war going on with a hidden enemy sworn to kill us all, and the policy of the Democrats running for the presidency is to throw up their hands and withdraw from the battlefield, leaving it to the enemy -- and our fate in the hands of Osama bin Laden.
Is that what the let's-stay-home-on-election-day conservatives want? Do they want the most liberal member of the U.S. Senate, Barack Obama, as their president? Do they want the pseudo-Marist Barack Obama -- who reportedly has a photo of the murderous Castroite thug Che Guevara hanging in his Houston, Texas campaign headquarters -- hanging that photo in the Oval Office?
Do they want Hillary Clinton, the duplicitous former first lady, back in the White House enjoying all those furnishings she and her husband tried to swipe from the mansion?
Do they want a Democrat spending even more money that the government doesn't have on scores of programs right out of Karl Marx's playbook?
That's exactly what they'll get if they sit out the election and stay home on Election Day. That's called biting off your nose to spite your face. Or even more to the point, political suicide.
Let me say this. There has been plenty of battling in the primaries, and I've been in the middle of the battle, but until now haven't committed myself to any candidate, waiting until we had a nominee.
That's over.
If John McCain is the nominee of the party, this Reagan will happily campaign with him. The alternative is unthinkable to anyone who loves this nation.
...................................................
Michael Reagan, the eldest son of Ronald Reagan, is heard daily by over 5 million listeners via his nationally syndicated talk radio program, “The Michael Reagan Show.”
Copyright © 2006 Salem Web Network. All Rights Reserved.
Have you heard of the surge?
McCain backed it. One of the few who did.
Give credit where it is due.
He wants to stay in Iraq until we have defeated the Jihadists. We are almost there.
He wants to prevent Iran from going nuclear. Obama-nation won’t.
Free Republic Opinion Poll:
Would you be for or against McCain?
Member Opinion
against 92.4% 2,989
for 7.6% 247
McCain: Hillary Would Be Good President Feb. 2005
Tom Delay On Faux "McCain Has Done More To Hurt The Party" VIDEO
More YOUTUBE - McCain On Abortion (UH OH! YouTube Has a Video of Him in 1999)
McCain and Stem Cell Research Round-up
John McCain: "My Conservative Record" YouTube VIDEO
John McCain, Jack Kemp and Hugo Chavez.
MORE GUN CONTROL: McCAIN-LIEBERMAN FR April '01
Gun Owners of America on McCain's Record.
GUNS AND SCHOOLS: THE POLITICS (McCain tries to grab guns, 1999)
John McCain Losing His Cool YouTube video
Vietnam Veterans Against McCain YouTube video
McCain Argues for U.S. Troop Withdrawl from Somalia Mr. Blackhawk Down (YouTube VIDEO)
McCain Group Got Big Cable Donation Breath taking corruption, Senator!
THE PAMPERED POLITICIAN - John McCain Keating 5 and other things. FR Nov. '99
McCain gives nod to Kerry campaign (MAJOR RINO ALERT!) June 2003
MAFIA, EMPRISE, DELAWARE NORTH, DON BOLLES, BRUCE BABBITT, BILL CLINTON...AND JOHN McCAIN?
McCain married into the mob.
SEN. JOHN McCAIN: THE ULTIMATE "RHINESTONE HERO"
SEN. JOHN McCAIN: THE ULTIMATE "RHINESTONE HERO" Part II
John McCain: The Manchurian Candidate
The War Secrets Sen. John McCain Hides
A number of articles on McCain. (some the same as above)
McCain Seeks to Change California Primary
John McCain funded by Soros since 2001
McCain/Soros by Rabbi Areyh Spero
Soros' "Reform" (an article about Soros‘ instrumental hand in McCain/Feingold)
John McCain: George Soros' Useful Idiot?
McCain’s Reform Institute donor list:
Reform Institute greatfully acknowleges Sen. McCain as past Chairman:
McCain's Letter (McCain aligns with Global Enviro activists)
The Turning Point on Global Warming (McCain and Lieberman Op-Ed Alert)
Climate bill sets stage for debate (Sens. McCain, Obama, and Lieberman join forces)
McCain: Global warming is fact, must be addressed [hurl alert]
McCain Sides With Leading Dems on Global Warming (NH voter reminder ALERT
EIA's Analysis of the Lieberman-McCain Climate Change Bill Human Events
McCain's Nose-Under-the-Tent Strategy - McCain's "Climate Stewardship Act" (S. 139), co-sponsored with Senator Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.)
Kyoto Through the Back Door? A Debate on the Lieberman –McCain Climate Stewardship Act - Heritage Foundation
Promising Vote on Global Warming - "But Mr. McCain, as we know, does not give up easily. ... He promises to be just as tenacious on this issue."
McCain Is Booed by Labor Activists
Captains of Industry Could Populate McCain Cabinet ( Lieberman Potential Cabinet Member)
McCain Still Disliked by Fiscal Conservatives (Club For Growth)
McCain calls Jeffords' switch lesson for GOP FR May '01
McCain Antics Weary Arizonans in G.O.P. FR June '01
McCain may leave Republican Party to fight Bush in 2004 FR July '01
How Bill Kristol ditched conservatism. Great Escape (Gave floundering McCain 2000 campaign a direction.)
McCain may leave Republican Party to fight Bush in 2004
His staff set up policy think-tanks and other groups to lay the ideological foundations for another third-party challenge in the Bull Moose style.
McCain Looked into Caucusing with Democrats
John McCain Goes Left for Money
McCain, Obama Make Deal on Financing
Sens. Snowe, Collins to head Maine exploratory committee for McCain
John Kerry: McCain Approached Me About Joining Dem Ticket in 2004
Democrats say McCain nearly abandoned GOP
McCain denies he was close to quitting GOP
Double Talk Express. McCain in his own words. VIDEO
John McCain's Newt Problem (Infidelity to first wife.)
How Cindy McCain was outed for drug addiction(stole drugs from the American Voluntary Medical Team) (McCain used his influence to cover it up.)
McCain and his Chicom Connections: Posts #17 and #18 by Calpernia
TEN REASONS NOT TO SUPPORT MCCAIN (Free Republic thread from 2000)
McCain Ties to Lobbyists Troublesome - Newsmax Staff
McCain Blames Bush For Osama's Escape
McCain Rides to Kerry's Rescue: "John Kerry is Not Weak on Defense" (Today Show alert)
The Real McCain Record Obstacles in the way of conservative support.
McCain Is the Amnesty Candidate
John McCain SCREAMS AT 9/11 FSA MEMBERS FOR OPPOSING HIS BILL TO GIVE AMNESTY FOR ILLEGALS
It depends on the meaning of “never” (McCain's Convenient Memory)
UN Double Talk from Straight Talker McCain (Law of the Sea Treaty)
The Conservative Case Against John McCain In 2008
John McCain: Hypocrite by Mark R. Levin
This Man is Not a Republican (re: McCain) (FR thread - Jan. 2000)
Freeper Alert: Sen. KERRY / Communist Vietnamese Killing Off Christains in Central Highlands... (...with Senator McCAIN (R) in complete agreement with him, is because "Engagement" with Communist Vietnam is better for the people of Vietnam in the long run.)
*************************************************************
McCain says:
"Why don't you shut your political pie hole?"
Stifling the www? Online Freedom of Speech Act (H.R. 1606)
"1606 is needed because federal courts have ordered the Federal Election Commission to regulate "electioneering communications" on the Internet because of the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act (McCain-Feingold). If H.R. 1606 fails to become law, your Web site or blog could be shut down for the 30 days prior to a primary election and the 60 days prior to a general election should you express "electioneering communications."
John McCain, enemy of free speech
I’ll gladly give him a Broken Clock Award on that.
I have my opinions as to his motivations.
What we know and what we think we know are two different things.
The convention isn’t until September. And a lot can happen until then.
If McCain is the nominee, why do we need a convention at all? Why not just annoint him now and we can start our side of the campaign now? Think how much carbon emissions we can save by not having 3,000 people flying to Minnesota!
McCain is ambivalent on abortion and he is FOR embryonic stem cell research. So, a pro-life position is not his strong suit.
The man is a disaster waiting to happen. I’m leery why the pundits, DC elites and the talking heads are so anxious to get us to line up behind McCrazy so quickly.
He has made no concessions to the people he needs to win the election. So why give up your virginity in the first date?
The GOP puppetmasters can kiss my rear end. Clinton is the biggest threat to the Republic since the Civil War and they run this disloyal clown?
You would need a stellar GOP candidate to beat either Clinton or Obama with the electorate in the mood it is in, for change and hatred of Republicans.
McLooney isn’t it.
I don't care. McCain became my enemy back during the Clinton administration when he was the only Republican to endorse marxist Clinton nominee Anthony Lake for Director of the CIA. I fought with him over it and I won, thank goodness. Lake withdrew his name after Sen. Shelby subpoenaed people to testify about Lake's Marxist leanings.
Since then McCain has pulled more liberal, Democrat agenda promoting stunts than I can count. McCain-Feingold CFR is unforgiveable. As is his collusion with the Democrats to stop good court nominees. And his calling me a racist and other such nonsense because I want the borders secured and our laws upheld...well...he's done everything in his power to keep me his enemy.
I can't vote for him under ANY circumstances. He's made sure of that. It's not a matter of him not being conservative enough or whatever. It is a matter of him nearly always being on the wrong side of every issue that I've supported.
If he is the nominee then the GOP deserves precisely what they've asked for - a Democrat administration in the White House for the next 4 to 8 or more years. And I will, the day McCain is nominated, become an Independent and leave the party that I've supported for two decades (Precinct Committeeman, State Delegate, GOP Club President, Volunteer, Campaign Worker, Donor, Fundraiser, etc.) Rather, the party will have left me.
And the day that Free Republic comes around and supports him is the day that Free Republic will have lost every shred of credibility that it has ever held. It was on FR that the effort to impeach John McCain was launched. The founder of FR considers McCain a "treasonous bastard", among other things. Yes, Obama and Clinton are the enemy. But so is John McCain.
Fear-Mongering and Boogey-Man? That’s rhetoric straight out of Moveon.org and Code Pink.
The war is for real.
Have you gone back to sleep already?
Well said and well summed up.
There are different ways of looking at this. Looked at in isolation, Reagan probably would back McCain against the Democrats. Reagan was a party loyalist and he’d support the nominee. There’s no way on earth that McCain would have been Reagan’s first choice, though.
However, suppose Reagan had been president the past eight years and been screwed repeatedly by McCain in the U.S. Senate. I think Reagan’s party loyalty was strong enough that he’d still support McCain over the Democrat nominee. However, in order to say that one has to note that McCain’s party loyalty has been AWOL for much of the past eight years. It’s the height of arrogance for a man who has rarely missed an opportunity to undermine the party, and who seriously considered switching to the Democrat Party, to demand party loyalty from us now that he’s wrested the nomination away from other candidates (with the help of crossover voting liberals in the frontloaded early primary states).
Ford wasn’t a boob, in my opinion. I do think he was a decent man, he just wasn’t really presidential material. The liberal media pretty much did everything they could to belittle him, and I admit I even laughed at the SNL sketches, but...he WAS and accomplished athlete. Just because he slipped and fell down some stairs or hit a guy with a golf ball, they played that to maximum effect because he took Nixon off the hook.
He showed his stuff in WWII during Halsey’s Typhoon. (Great book, btw...) but here is an excerpt from Wikipedia:
“Although the ship was not damaged by Japanese forces, the Monterey was one of several ships damaged by the typhoon that hit Admiral William Halsey’s Third Fleet on December 18–19, 1944. The Third Fleet lost three destroyers and over 800 men during the typhoon. The Monterey was damaged by a fire, which was started by several of the ship’s aircraft tearing loose from their cables and colliding on the hanger deck. During the storm, Ford narrowly avoided becoming a casualty himself. As he was going to his battle station on the bridge of the ship in the early morning of December 18, the ship rolled twenty-five degrees, which caused Ford to lose his footing and slide toward the edge of the deck. The two-inch steel ridge around the edge of the carrier slowed him enough so he could roll, and he twisted into the catwalk below the deck. As he later stated, “I was lucky; I could have easily gone overboard.”
Because of the extent of the fires, Admiral Halsey ordered Captain Ingersoll to abandon ship. Lieutenant (j.g.) Ford stood near the helm, awaiting his orders. “We can fix this” Captain Ingersoll said, and with a nod from his skipper, Lieutenant Ford donned a gas mask and led a fire brigade below.
Aircraft-gas tanks exploded as hose handlers slid across the burning decks. Into this furnace, Lieutenant Ford led his men, his first order of business to carry out the dead and injured. Five hours later he and his team emerged burned and exhausted, but they had put out the fire.”
I’ve been on a carrier and often thought about how that steel ridge could have been a lifesaver in certain scenarios...I am glad it saved him.
Most observers already realize that the Republicans are in disfavor with the electorate and that John 'Maverick' McCain is not going to win the election. I believe the 'establishment' Republicans are gearing up to put the blame for the upcoming loss (which will probably be by huge numbers) on conservatives who refuse to vote for McCain on principle. Let them try. McCain is his own worst enemy with his half liberal/half 'moderate', often anti-Republican positions and his cranky, off-putting personality. When the Republicans lose in November, it will be their own fault. I only wish it were otherwise.
When we think of Reagan, we think so immediately of his presidency that we tend to forget what came before. What came before 1980 was 1976--and Reagan's insurgent presidential bid against the incumbent Republican President Jerry Ford. Ford was riding pretty high, he was the good man who followed Nixon after the disgrace of Watergate; but Ford was a moderate liberal Republican, and Reagan thought he was part of the problem, so he declared against him. He ran hard. And by March 1976 he had lost five straight primaries in a row. He was in deep trouble--eleven of twelve former chairmen of the Republican National Committee called on him to get out of the race, the Republican Conference of Mayors told him to get out, on March 18 the Los Angeles Times told him to quit. The Reagan campaign was $2 to $3 million in debt, and they were forced to give up their campaign plane for a small leased jet, painted yellow, that they called "The Flying Banana." On March 23, they were in Wisconsin, where Reagan was to address a bunch of duck hunters. Before the speech, Reagan and his aides gathered in his room at a dreary hotel to debate getting out of the race. The next day there would be another primary, in North Carolina, and they knew they'd lose. Most of the people in the room said, "It's over, we have no money, no support, we lost five so far and tomorrow we lose six." John Sears, the head of the campaign, told the governor, "You know, one of your supporters down in Texas says he'll lend us a hundred thousand dollars if you'll rebroadcast that speech where you give Ford and Kissinger hell on defense." The talk went back and forth. Marty Anderson, the wonderful longtime Reagan aide who told me this story, said he sat there thinking, 'This is crazy, another hundred grand in debt....'....... McCain does not have 1191 delegates yet and until he does the race is not over. If Mike Huckabee has no chance whatsoever then why is the establishment GOP afraid of him? McCain will wrap this up on March 4th if what the pundits and GOP say is true and that is only 2 1/2 weeks away. There will be plenty of time to consolidate against the Dems at that point. I ask again, what are THEY afraid of?????
Not a bad article, except that the conservatives did not stay at home in 1976 or 2006. The Republican party (and their nominees) failed to offer a viable alternative to the democrat vision and lost the center.
It does not matter who the Republican nominee is if the Republican platform is simply the lite version of the dem platform. The voters will chose the real thing every time.
Change, innovation, growth, and prosperity cannot come from government. However, expanding government can destroy all of them.
Unless the John McCain and the Republican party immediately draw sharp distinctions between themselves and the democrats regarding:
Preserving and restoring individual rights
Shrinking the size of government
Reducing taxes
Fostering a climate of private investment and innovation
Demonstrating that government is the problem and not the solution
Protecting national sovereignty, including securing the borders
Seeking out and destroying America’s enemies wherever they may be
Promoting the rule of law and appointing strictly constitutionalists as judges
Privatising Social Security and Medicaid, ending the entitlement mentality
It is going to be a 43+ state blowout.
The Republicans CANNOT win with a “kindler, gentler” center-left version of socialism. We need candidates who CANNOT spell “bipartisanship” or “comity” and who would only reach across the aisle to clean someone’s clock.
We don’t need diplomats. We need pit bulls who will never pass on an opportunity to openly savage Barack and Hilliary for the stupidity and unreality of their plans; whether it is rebuilding infrastructure, taxing the rich, expanding entitlements, nationalizing health care, or giving away college tuition funding.
Never before have the Republicans been presented such a target rich environment. At a time when they should all have carpal tunnel syndrome from figuratively thumbing rounds into magazines, they literally have their thumbs (as well as their heads) crammed up their posteriors.
If the Republicans REALLY want to win this fall (as opposed to the “go through the motions Pas de Deux” they have demonstrated to date) give the Conservatives sound reasons to vote for them. It is a lot easier then they realize and a lot more fun to be on the attack.
I will know that the Republicans have a fighting chance this fall when the media stop referring to McCain as a maverick and start calling him a fanatic, unfair, mean spirited, and rabid.
I guess he would have taken one up the keester, then. Because that’s exactly what the conservatives in the party are being figuratively asked to do.
Amen from the back bench!!!!
Thats just dumb - why would I do that?
I was setting my opinion against those on this board who are constantly cajoling, mau-mauing, insulting, browbeating, heartstring-tugging and otherwise employing all manner of manipulation, much of it counterproductive & counterintuitive, as if that will somehow affect the outcome of the upcoming election.
Reagan would campaign hard, across the country, ESPECIALLY for conservative candidates. He’d be supporting guys like Senator Sessions and Duncan Hunter and identifying weak RINO’s and democrats who would be vulnerable to a conservative candidate.
With every new Putin speech and fly over McCain looks better.
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