The other thing about Reagan, was that his time in Hollywood served him well...not only learning about how to look good in front of a camera and speaking eloquently.....but he was literally in the Lions’ Den as well, and understood what made the enemy tick, and how to get flies with honey, instead of vinegar.
And please do not think I am making that sound easy.
I used to own a company that produced business video programs. Often there would be a section where the owner or president of the company was to appear on the screen. It never ceased to amaze me how many times this dynamic, positive, eloquent owner became a babbling fool as soon as the camera was aimed at him.
That camera pointing at you is a scary thing, and there are only a certain number of people that just naturally have ‘it’ (unfortunately that scum bag Bill Clinton was one of them).
I just kind of figured that with this much time passed since Reagan, one more would rise up.
Reagan spoke from his core beliefs, and he had much exposure to normal Americans.
From a lower class childhood, a common college, saving lives on a river as a major lifeguard of the region, 8 years of rubbing shoulders in the military, Reagan knew a lot about regular joes, and while he was personally first generation successful, he remained true to his humble, old fashioned Americanism.
Reagan knew who he was talking to and about.
And his years in Hollywood - exposure to the communists gave him not just an understanding, but a very determined opposition to them and all they stood for.
Regan could convey in 3 sentences or less the conservative message on any question asked. And VDH makes lots of valid points about the lack of message from Romney’s campaign.
You need to do more than point out the other guy has failed under unusually dire circumstances, or failed to live up to his promises.
You have to stand for something, and give simple explanation how the conservitive approach would have worked better on any of the issues of concern to voters.