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>> “Reagan was thought to be someone different than his persona. Someone not smart, just an actor etc.” <<
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Only by a very small handful of idiots.
Reagan had a solid record from his radio programs. Anyone that had heard any of his broadcasts held him in high esteem.
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“Only by a very small handful of idiots”
Someone posted here the articles by people like George Will and many others, including major papers, that were very critical of Reagan early on. He was virtually unknown outside of California in 1976. No one took him seriously. His reputation was much like Trump’s of being a hot head and war monger. I think he lost the first couple primaries but kicked Bush’s tail after that. By the time he debated Carter I think he was several points down wasn’t he? Then people warmed up to him.
Trump is an entirely different animal, and I sense that many here, and probably rightfully so, are still very skeptical of him. For me, he’s pushing all the right buttons, and I expect the economy, more features on immigrant crime, plus something major happening in the world with China, Iran or N. Korea that will push people from all walks of life to want the man for president.